Reason behind Benfica media blackout at Arouca | OneFootball

Reason behind Benfica media blackout at Arouca | OneFootball

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·15 March 2026

Reason behind Benfica media blackout at Arouca

Article image:Reason behind Benfica media blackout at Arouca

Benfica enforced a media blackout at Arouca on 14 March, with no players or staff speaking after their 2-1 win.

The club said in a statement hours before kick-off that, after the CD refused to accept José Mourinho’s appeal, no Benfica professional would address the media, presenting the stance as a collective act of solidarity and indignation at a decision it considered unjust, disproportionate and persecutory.


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On the night, Benfica had to battle until the closing moments to secure the points.

With Mourinho absent and João Tralhão deputising, the squad and coaching staff skipped the flash interview and the post-match press conference in protest.

Richard Ríos and Franjo Ivanovic scored, and the result leaves Benfica third on 62 points, level with Sporting, who have one game in hand, and four behind Porto on 66.

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