Luís Hemir Semedo benched at Moreirense after disciplinary issue | OneFootball

Sunderland loanee Luís Hemir Semedo endured a setback at Moreirense, staying on the bench and skipping the warm-up during the 3-1 defeat at FC Porto.

A Bola reports the call was not purely tactical, linking it to behaviour before the trip to the Estádio do Dragão that the club deemed inappropriate. It was not considered serious enough to drop him from the squad, but the decision carried a consequence.

Head coach Vasco Botelho addressed the matter after the match, framing it as part of the player’s development. He said Semedo must recognise the group comes before the individual and that difficult calls can help him grow, adding he has known him since he was seven.

Hemir joined Moreirense on loan last August and remains under contract with Sunderland until June 2028. The move aimed to secure regular senior football after a mixed spell with Juventus Next Gen last season, when his minutes were limited.

Back in Portugal, he had shown tentative progress, scoring against Nacional earlier this month in the Primeira Liga. Across 15 league appearances he has two goals and one assist, totalling 717 minutes.

His next opportunity could arrive when Moreirense face Arouca on Saturday, when he will again compete for a starting place. Injuries in the squad mean there is a pathway back, provided he responds positively.

Source: Sunderland Echo