Drama unfolded at the Estádio da Luz as Benfica drew 2-2 with Casa Pia, sparking outrage and controversy, particularly surrounding a penalty decision. The match, part of the 11th round of the I Liga, saw Benfica surrender a two-goal lead, but the spotlight quickly shifted to the officiating.
Mourinho's Fury: 'Biggest VAR Error!'
José Mourinho didn't mince words, blasting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for what he deemed a blatant error in awarding a penalty against Benfica. The penalty, conceded by António Silva, led to Casa Pia's first goal, igniting a fiery debate.
Mourinho wasn't alone in his criticism. Mário Branco also questioned the VAR's lack of intervention, adding fuel to the fire. The Benfica coach labelled the decision as an "inexplicable" error, arguing that the penalty was wrongly awarded based on established protocols.
Silva's Sharp Words: 'Arbitration is Compromised'
António Silva echoed Mourinho's sentiments, stating that the weekend's events made it clear that arbitration is "very conditioned" in Portuguese football. He specifically criticised the penalty decision, highlighting that the ball rebounded onto his hand, which, according to protocol, shouldn't warrant a penalty.
He told BTV: "The fault ends up being ours for drawing, we could have done more, but I think this weekend it was clear what is happening in our football... I can't understand how the referee ends up deciding that it is a penalty against us."
Own Goal Adds to the Chaos
Adding insult to injury, after Trubin initially saved the penalty, Tomás Araújo scored a bizarre own goal while attempting to clear the ball, reducing Benfica's lead to 2-1. This chaotic sequence further intensified the already heated atmosphere.
The draw leaves Benfica facing questions about their performance and the impact of the controversial officiating decisions. The aftermath is sure to be filled with further analysis and debate surrounding the standard of refereeing in the I Liga.