Benfica fined 17,850 euros over comments on referee after Santa Clara v Sporting

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·31 January 2026

Benfica fined 17,850 euros over comments on referee after Santa Clara v Sporting

Benfica have been fined by the Portuguese Football Federation’s Disciplinary Council for comments about referee João Pinheiro after Santa Clara v Sporting in the Taça de Portugal. The federation announced that the remarks were unacceptable.

The sanction, set at 17,850 euros, follows criticism of the officiating of the tie in the Azores, with the comments published on 18 December 2025.

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A VAR check lasted 12 minutes before confirming a penalty awarded by Pinheiro.

The decision took the match into extra time, where Rui Borges’s side won.

Benfica are led by Rui Costa.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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Mentioned in this article

Sporting CP
Santa Clara
Benfica
Taça de Portugal

Benfica fined 17,850 euros over comments on referee after Santa Clara v Sporting | OneFootball

Benfica fined 17,850 euros over comments on referee after Santa Clara v Sporting

OneFootball Videos

Sporting CP

Santa Clara

Benfica

Taça de Portugal

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