In the last 48 hours the name Sport Lisboa e Benfica has traveled the football world associated with a debacle that took place Saturday against Belenenses SAD at the nation’s national stadium also known as Jamor.
The embarrassment of the situation for many is something you could only relate to as a house league game after a bad snowstorm when Belenenses SAD took the field with just nine players in their starting eleven including two goalkeepers and no substitutions due to an outbreak at the club of COVID-19 that saw 13 players and an additional 4 members of the coaching staff test positive for the virus.
The game which many felt should have been postponed kicked off at its scheduled time as onlookers including myself wondered what the hell was going on in what could only be explained as a Mickey Mouse affair.
In a game that had the reminisce of the story of David and Goliath, Belenenses SAD (David) did not possess any stones to throw at Goliath (Benfica) in this encounter and the Lisbon side went on the attack over and over building a 7-0 lead at the half.
Then when we couldn’t think it could get any worse, it did as Belenenses SAD appeared out of the tunnel short two players and once the second half kicked off goalkeeper Joao Monteiro who was playing as a defender went down with an apparent injury which dropped Belenenses SAD below the minimum requirement of players on the field and the game was called off by referee Manuel Mota handing Benfica the victory.
After the match, Belenenses SAD President Rui Pedro Soares accused the League of threatening the club with a point reduction if it did not take the field even after he is said to have requested a postponement in the afternoon. The statement from Soares though was a bit bizarre as earlier in the day he said the club was ready to go and he would not request a postponement even though his club was in no condition to play.
Benfica President Rui Costa also made remarks post-game about the encounter in which he stated that Benfica had no choice but to take the field against their undermanned Lisbon rivals or suffer the consequences of being deducted points by the league so they unwillingly obliged.
The league then followed with their own statement in which they acknowledged speaking to both club president’s but no formal request was submitted to them for the postponement of the game. Under FIFA regulations a club can proceed with a match if they are able to field a team with a minimum of seven players.
This has turned into a black eye for Portuguese football with the situation receiving international media attention.
Benfica whose name is well known throughout the football world just happened to, unfortunately, be the opponents of Belenenses SAD under these circumstances and have had their club name dragged in the mud through no fault of their own.
WHAT’S BEING SAID
In the middle of the afternoon we communicated to the League that we did not want to play the game,we had eight players who could actually play in the game and they told us that if we did not attend the game it would be an unjustified absence. What happened today was a great shame, there is nothing to justify what happened.
Belenenses SAD President – Rui Pedro Soares
We did not like to enter the pitch under these conditions, Benfica was forced to do it like Belenenses SAD, i regret what happened today, it is a black eye for Portuguese football and for the country itself.
Benfica President – Rui Costa
There was no formal request made by Beleneneses SAD for a postponement of their game against Benfica.
Portuguese League Official
We do not comment on the holding of games, whether in football or any other sport.
Portuguese Health Ministry
This can not happen again we have to find solutions.
Sporting CP Manager – Ruben Amorim
On another occasion I will give my opinion, which is the general opinion about what happened.
FC Porto Manager – Sergio Conceição
What is this? Am I the only one who does not get why this game has not been postponed.
Manchester City Forward – Bernardo Silva
Exactly Friend, I really can’t understand or else we are the ones who are not thinking well.
Wolverhampton Midfielder – Ruben Neves (in response to Bernardo Silva tweet above)
Portuguese League officials met Sunday in an emergency meeting to discuss the game between Belenenses SAD and Benfica, and announced that an investigation will take place to determine any disciplinary actions that should be taken.
The league will be referring the investigation to the disciplinary board of the Portuguese Football Federation. Stay Tuned….
