Mário Branco cleared as Famalicão vs Benfica referee’s report found inaccurate | OneFootball

The Disciplinary Council found CCTV evidence that contradicted parts of referee Gustavo Correia’s report from Famalicão vs Benfica, clearing Benfica director Mário Branco of claims he moved towards the match officials.

According to Glorioso 1904, the ruling intensified debate in Portuguese football after the body determined sections of the document did not reflect events.

In his report, Correia said Branco insulted him with offensive language and tried to approach the refereeing team before being stopped by stewards and police. The league delegate, João Ledo, backed that account.

However, security-camera footage from Estádio Municipal de Famalicão showed Branco neither approached the officials nor was restrained, undermining a key part of the referee’s version.

After viewing the images, Correia accepted he had misidentified the individual involved. The council said he fell short of the required rigour, accuracy and diligence, and issued a formal reprimand.

Ledo was acquitted, explaining he reported what he believed he had seen and inferred that someone using such insults would not remain still. Although Branco served a 25-day suspension for insulting the referee, the process concluded with Correia’s censure for the inaccuracies in his report.

Source: Glorioso 1904