Alan Varela faces disciplinary action after Benfica complaint | OneFootball

The Disciplinary Council (CD) of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced this Friday, through its official platforms, the opening of disciplinary proceedings against FC Porto midfielder Alan Varela.

According to the statement from the federation body, the proceedings were initiated following a “disciplinary complaint submitted on October 13” by Benfica.

“Disciplinary proceedings initiated against Alan Gonzalo Varela, by decision of the Professional Section, on October 16, 2025, concerning events that occurred in match no. 10809 (203.01.072), played between FC Porto SAD and SL Benfica SAD, held on October 5, 2025, as part of the Liga Betclic. The proceedings were initiated following a disciplinary complaint submitted on October 13, 2025, by Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol SAD,” reads the note from the Disciplinary Council.

The incident in question took place during the Clássico held on October 5 at Estádio do Dragão, which ended goalless, and concerns an alleged elbow by Alan Varela on Pavlidis, as claimed by Benfica.

“The case was sent, on October 17, 2025, to the Commission of Instructors of Liga Portugal, with publicity excluded until the end of the investigation,” the statement concludes.

In the 77th minute, during an offensive transition, Pavlidis was struck by Alan Varela in the heel area, causing the Greek forward to fall to the ground. Referee Miguel Nogueira analyzed the situation and showed a yellow card to the Argentine player. Benfica believes there was no intention to play the ball and that the incident warranted a red card, which is why they submitted the disciplinary complaint.

The Argentine has already responded to Benfica’s intentions

In a recent interview with the newspaper A Bola, Alan Varela was asked about the possibility of a complaint being filed against him after the incident with Vangelis Pavlidis, a situation that the federation body later confirmed.

“Everyone has their own opinion. There were many plays where perhaps fouls in our favor were not called, but that game is in the past. I gain nothing by talking about it. We have to focus on the next match. There are many away games coming up and we have to be very focused to win them all,” emphasized the midfielder.

Clássico results in inquiries and several disciplinary proceedings

On Thursday, the Disciplinary Council announced the opening of new disciplinary proceedings related to the Clássico. Benfica was also the target of a procedure, although the reasons have not yet been disclosed. The body responsible for national discipline also determined the opening of two inquiry proceedings regarding the match.

Previously, the same Council had initiated disciplinary proceedings against Vangelis Pavlidis, FC Porto, and its president, André Villas-Boas.

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