Manteigas backs Benfica, blasts Gustavo Correia: after the shame… | OneFootball

The appointment of Gustavo Correia for the match between Gil Vicente and Rio Ave, in the opening round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, continues to spark strong backlash in the Benfica world. After the Club from Luz filed a complaint with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), also João Diogo Manteigas, a former candidate for the presidency of the Eagles, harshly criticized the decision of the Refereeing Council.

"Despite the seriousness of the events at the end of Sport Lisboa e Benfica's match in Famalicão in the 2025/26 season, which could have led Gustavo Correia to be punished with a suspension ranging from a minimum of six to a maximum of ten sporting seasons for falsifying the refereeing report, he ended up being punished only with a reprimand for having lied. He said he had made a 'mistake' in identifying general director Mário Branco", he wrote on his LinkedIn account.

The lawyer continued his criticism, showing indignation at the decision of the Refereeing Council. "It went from being classified as a very serious offense, for falsifying a refereeing report, to a minor offense. He got away with it because his intent was not proven. Meanwhile, even after the shame of what happened and against the spirit of the regulations, what does the Refereeing Council of the Portuguese Football Federation do? It appoints Gustavo Correia to referee one of the matches in the first round of the League", he said.

Manteigas also made a direct appeal to the current board led by Rui Costa, questioning the actions of the Benfica officials in light of what happened. "Will the Board of Sport Lisboa e Benfica continue waiting for a meeting with the FPF or will it act, once and for all, to change the state Portuguese football has reached and the impunity of those who still run it?", the same post reads.

Meanwhile, Benfica formally lodged a complaint with the Portuguese Football Federation over the appointment of Gustavo Correia for the match between Gil Vicente and Rio Ave. The protest comes in the wake of the controversy in Famalicão, when CCTV footage contradicted the version presented by the referee regarding the behavior of Mário Branco, an episode that continues to fuel debate in Portuguese football.

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