Manteigas hits out at FC Porto as Villas Boas accused of setting targets to apply pressure | OneFootball

João Diogo Manteigas, a candidate in Benfica’s last presidential election, used social media to attack FC Porto and André Villas-Boas, claiming Benfica are uniquely harmed by biased referees and newspaper analysts, while also criticising Rui Costa.

He posted press cuttings and clips to set out a timeline. In September 2025, he said Porto filed a disciplinary complaint against referee Fábio Veríssimo with the federation.

In November 2025, he cited the Braga match, alleging a television was left running in Veríssimo’s dressing room to replay contentious incidents, later described as a lapse, and resulting in a 12,750 euros fine.

Also in November 2025, he highlighted Villas-Boas’s public complaints about a lack of uniform criteria, claims Porto had been harmed in some games, a pre-alert for upcoming fixtures, and allegations that some media analysts were not impartial.

By January 2026, he referenced fierce criticism of Veríssimo’s appointment for the Taça de Portugal tie against Benfica.

Manteigas argued Porto define targets to condition the environment around officiating, saying the playbook feels dated yet still proves effective in Portugal. He added he does not expect cultural habits to change soon, even with centralisation.

He concluded by urging Rui Costa either to match that pressure with equal or greater force, or to make way for someone prepared to try to end what he called ongoing mockery.

Source: O Jogo

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