Fixation on refereeing continues to mar Portuguese football with Benfica releasing another public statement on one of their rivals.
Sporting beat Santa Clara in the Portuguese Cup but they were trailing until a lengthy VAR review awarded a penalty that forced extra time which they won.
Posting on the club’s social media channels shortly after, Lisbon rivals Benfica said in a statement: “What happened in this Portuguese Cup match in the Azores is inexcusable and unacceptable for the credibility of Portuguese football.
“Twelve minutes were spent searching for a penalty that would benefit the same team as always, time and time again.
“In the same stadium where last year a clear and obvious penalty against Sporting didn’t even attract the attention of VAR, and where this season they won with a phantom corner.
“Phenomena that always seem to occur when Sporting aren’t winning.
“Someone must be held accountable for this utter disgrace that is ruining Portuguese football.
“This dense calendar makes no sense if competitions are decided before they even begin.”
Benfica president Rui Costa also added his thoughts at a club address, saying: “Good evening everyone. My apologies for this slight delay, but I was outside watching yet another scandal in Portuguese football and was waiting for the referee to award a penalty.”
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