Ex-Porto candidate claims Sporting and Benfica have an alliance | OneFootball

The tension in Portuguese football has been reignited, this time with Porto and Sporting at the center of the controversy. In statements to Desporto ao Minuto, José Fernando Rio expressed agreement with the content of the Dragões Diários newsletter and left harsh criticisms towards Sporting and Frederico Varandas, also questioning Benfica's stance.

"I think it is a very assertive statement and not far from reality. The truth is that everything is allowed for Sporting and its President, and Sporting has been highly favored by refereeing since the last half of last season," stated the former candidate for Porto's presidency.

The former candidate recalled the match against Santa Clara, pointing out a controversial play. "We all remember how Sporting won against Santa Clara in the championship, with that scandalously missed corner by the refereeing, which was a goal kick and not a corner. I could continue here giving several examples of benefits that Sporting, which keep Sporting in the title race and ahead of Benfica. Sporting's natural position at the moment would be third place," he argued.

The former candidate also evoked the legacy of Pinto da Costa, arguing that the fight against the “established powers of Lisbon” has always marked his terms, alluding to the so-called “Holy Alliance” between Sporting and Benfica.

"As Benfica seems unable to go further, then let Sporting win, because it is better for Sporting to win than for Porto to win," evaluated the lawyer and commentator, continuing: " Benfica indeed sees Sporting being favored and stays silent. Isn't it strange for a club like Benfica, which is currently fighting for second place and still has title aspirations, to see Sporting being favored in this way and remain silent? I think this is not credible for Benfica."

"In fact, Benfica only speaks up when it feels the disadvantage itself, as was the case in last year's Portuguese Cup final, where Sporting was highly favored, Benfica was highly disadvantaged, and then Benfica complained. But otherwise, Benfica, usually, not always, but usually, remains silent," he recalled.

Regarding Frederico Varandas, President of Sporting, José Fernando Rio questioned the absence of disciplinary sanctions. "The President of Sporting has been pressuring referees for a long time. (…) The President of Sporting shoots in all directions and then nothing happens to him. He is unimpeachable. Because the courts do not punish him, sports justice does not punish him either," he criticized.

The lawyer concluded by calling for greater uniformity of criteria. "What I want is justice and equality of criteria. I want the rules to be applied in the same way to all clubs. (…) If there were justice in the national championship, Sporting would already be behind Benfica and much further from the title. Therefore, it is necessary for referees and VAR to be aware that they have to apply the law and not apply what benefits Sporting," he concluded.

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