Benfica lodge complaint with FPF over ref for… Gil Vicente - Rio Ave | OneFootball

Benfica filed a formal complaint with the Portuguese Football Federation, more specifically with the Refereeing Council, after the appointment of Gustavo Correia for the match between Gil Vicente and Rio Ave, part of the opening round of the Liga Portugal Betclic. At the Luz, the decision was met with surprise and displeasure, given the events involving the referee last season.

The origin of the protest goes back to the controversial Famalicão - Benfica match on matchday 32 of last season. Gustavo Correia was reprimanded after it was concluded, during a disciplinary inquiry, that he reported facts that were not true regarding the behavior of Benfica general director Mário Branco, with there ultimately being an alleged case of mistaken identity.

At the time, the referee wrote in his report that Mário Branco had insulted him and tried to approach the refereeing team, a version also backed up by the League delegate. However, analysis of footage from the video surveillance system at the Municipal Stadium of Famalicão showed that the Benfica official did not physically approach the refereeing team, leading to the disciplinary punishment imposed on the referee from the Porto Football Association.

The case also had consequences for Benfica’s officials. Mário Branco was suspended for insults directed at the referee, while Rui Costa publicly criticized the refereeing, stating that "this man came here to harm Benfica". The Eagles’ president was also punished by the FPF Disciplinary Council, with that case still awaiting a final decision after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Given all this history, Benfica believed that Gustavo Correia should not have been included in the appointments for the championship’s opening round.

official complaint by Benfica’s SAD to the FPF, in a decision that promises to reignite controversy surrounding Portuguese refereeing.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.