Villas-Boas backs Clássico refs, hits back: “If all agree, what’s left?” | OneFootball

André Villas-Boas, president of FC Porto, defended the refereeing team in the Clássico that ended with a 3-1 Porto victory over Benfica. He rejected any influence from the referee on the result, responded to Rui Costa’s complaints and, citing the consensus among experts, asked: “When there is unanimity, what are they trying to cling to?”

In a context marked by protests from Benfica’s hierarchy over the controversial incidents at the Estádio do Dragão, André Villas-Boas left no room for doubt about the refereeing performance. The blue-and-white leader acknowledged his rival counterpart’s right to object, but made it clear that he sees no grounds to call the outcome of the match into question.

Asked about the criticism coming from Benfica, Villas-Boas began by framing Rui Costa’s position as a defence of the interests of the red club, without prolonging the institutional confrontation.

“It is up to Benfica’s president to defend what he believes is right or wrong,” he said.

When the issue turned directly to the possible influence of the refereeing on the result, the response became more categorical.

“No, not at all. It was excellent refereeing,” he assured.

The FC Porto president then supported that view with the consensus he identified among the leading experts and the analyses made after the final whistle.

“For the first time, among the main experts, we had unanimity regarding the refereeing decisions, including former members of FPF non-permanent committees linked to refereeing,” he stressed.

It was on the basis of that unanimity that Villas-Boas brought the matter to a close, throwing back at the critics a question about the basis of their protests.

“When there is unanimity, what are they trying to cling to?” he asked.

The Porto official’s position was therefore set out without ambiguity: respect for Rui Costa’s right to defend his perspective, but complete rejection of the idea that the refereeing had any bearing on FC Porto’s victory.

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