Rodolfo Reis: “Toxic smell row? Of course I suspect Sporting” | OneFootball

Rodolfo Reis did not remain indifferent to the controversy involving the visiting dressing room at the Dragão Arena before the handball clásico between FC Porto and Sporting, and he had harsh words in his analysis of the case, openly questioning the version presented by the Alvalade club.

The CMTV commentator began by pointing out what he sees as an inconsistency in the account of the facts. «A lady goes there because she already has allergies and I don’t know what else, and then 15 minutes later this lady went there and no longer smelled anything. How is that possible?», he asked, referring to the delegate from the Portuguese Handball Federation who, according to several reports, confirmed the odor on a first visit to the dressing room but, when she returned minutes later, detected nothing.

«I distrust Sporting. Absolutely no doubt about it»

Pressed live on air about whether he distrusted Sporting, Rodolfo Reis did not hesitate: «Of course I distrust them. Absolutely no doubt about it, I distrust Sporting.» However, the commentator was keen to draw a line between distrust and a direct accusation. «I don’t want to say, nor would I stake my reputation on it, that Sporting did this. That would be going too far. Never», he said, admitting that he also does not rule out that the incident may indeed have happened. «Nor do I doubt that it happened. I have doubts about everything.»

Rodolfo Reis also made a reference to Sporting’s president, without mentioning him by name, saying he is someone he does not respect because he «never respected FC Porto’s presidents — especially the greatest president, without the slightest doubt, in Europe.»

Despite the harsh tone, the commentator stressed the respect he still has for Sporting as a club and for its fans and members. «I respect Sporting club, and how. I respect Sporting’s fans and members, and how. Great club», he declared.

The battle cry: «Damned FC Porto»

If the dressing-room case prompted caution and distrust, the closing of Rodolfo Reis’s remarks was pure Portismo in its rawest state — a «damned» that is actually praise, a cry of pride and defiance aimed at those who want to see the Dragons fail.

«Damned FC Porto, leading the way. Damned FC Porto, that doesn’t lose at Luz. Damned FC Porto, you’re going to beat Braga. Against everything and everyone, against a referee, my God. Damned FC Porto, with 7 matchdays to go, 4 points ahead of Sporting and 7 ahead of Benfica. Damned FC Porto.»

A statement that sums up, in a few words, what many Porto supporters feel at this decisive stage of the season: the certainty that the path is made against everything and everyone — and that, for FC Porto, is nothing new. It is identity.

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