Cláudio Pereira to referee Rio Ave v Benfica after Sporting penalty row | OneFootball

Cláudio Pereira has been appointed to referee Rio Ave v Benfica on Saturday at 20:30, a Liga Portugal Betclic matchday 18 fixture. José Mourinho’s side travel to Vila do Conde to play at Estádio do Rio Ave FC (Arcos).

According to Glorioso 1904, the Conselho de Arbitragem selected the Aveiro FA official, who will be assisted by Tiago Costa and João Bessa Silva. Fábio Melo is fourth official, with Pedro Ferreira on VAR and Jorge Fernandes as AVAR.

The last Benfica game he handled was the recent 3-0 win over Braga in the Taça da Liga semi-finals in Leiria, which sealed a place in the final.

Across eight Benfica matches under Pereira, the club are unbeaten with four wins and four draws. Benfica will be without an important player.

Pereira was at the centre of a major controversy last season in Sporting’s narrow win against Santa Clara, when a clear penalty went unawarded. That victory in the Azores proved decisive in the final title reckoning.

Source: Glorioso 1904