Farioli questions league’s treatment of Sporting after Tondela postponement | OneFootball

Porto coach Francesco Farioli has questioned the league’s decision to postpone Sporting’s trip to Tondela this weekend, describing the treatment as very particular given the calendar pressures.

According to O Jogo, the game was pushed back due to Champions League commitments. Braga obtained a similar delay, though with less recovery time after playing away on Thursday and hosting Ferencváros on Wednesday afternoon, and because their schedule let them move Casa Pia to 23 April, one of the dates for the second legs of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals.

Because of that competition, and with Sporting set to visit the Dragão, the club might only be able to rearrange Tondela in the final week of the league. That depends on overturning Bodo/Glimt and continuing in the Champions League.

Farioli said Porto and Sporting face a distinct case and, if things go well for both, the only free week would be the last. He noted the postponement is allowed by the regulations but still described it as a very particular treatment for Sporting.

Benfica also postponed their opening fixture with Rio Ave after playing a Champions League play-off. Porto, meanwhile, once had to delay a trip to Arouca by one day due to local festivities, and in 2019/20 played Gil Vicente between the Krasnodar ties in a scenario the same as Benfica’s earlier this season.

Source: O Jogo