Benfica anger at Arouca as Mário Branco reportedly visited referees’ room | OneFootball

Benfica’s trip to Arouca reportedly sparked internal anger, with director of football Mário Branco said to have visited the match officials’ dressing room after the final whistle.

A Bola reports that club figures felt referee José Bessa applied different disciplinary and technical standards to the two sides, prompting Branco to voice his displeasure.

One flashpoint was the booking of António Silva, his fifth caution, which triggers a one-match ban for the home game against Vitória de Guimarães. Benfica officials argue Bessa did not allow the captain to explain the situation.

It is also claimed the officiating team overlooked a Benfica penalty. In the 15th minute, Bessa is said to have pushed left-back Samuel Dahl, conduct that further irked the visitors.

Despite the controversy, Benfica took three important points to stay in the title race. Goals from Richard Ríos and Franjo Ivanovic left them third on 62 points, level with Sporting, who have one game in hand, and seven behind Porto on 69.

Source: Glorioso 1904