Disciplinary Authority files allegations against Matheus Reis, Quenda, and Maxi Araújo.
Portuguese Football Federation Opens Disciplinary Proceedings Against Sporting Players and Club
The Portuguese Football Federation's (FPF) Disciplinary Committee announced Thursday the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against Sporting players Matheus Reis, Maxi Araújo, Geovany Quenda, and the Sporting SAD over incidents during the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica.
The proceedings against Reis and Araújo pertain to their conduct during the cup final, which Sporting won 3-1 after extra time. These charges stem from a participation sent by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) and complaints lodged by Benfica and César Boaventura.
In addition, a separate proceeding was initiated against Reis, Quenda, and the Sporting SAD for social media publications following the cup final. This proceeding was initiated by the FPF's Integrity and Compliance Unit and includes complaints from both Benfica and César Boaventura.
According to the CD, the proceedings have been forwarded to the Disciplinary Instruction Commission of the FPF, and no further information will be disclosed until the instruction is concluded.
Following the final, Benfica expressed its intention to file a complaint against Reis and Araújo due to a controversial play with Benfica forward Andrea Belotti in the final minutes of regulation time. Benfica maintains that Araújo should have been given a second yellow card or a direct red card, and alleges that Reis intentionally kicked and trampled on Belotti, an allegation not reflected in the referee's report.
Benfica also called attention to a since-deleted video shared on Sporting's social media, which showed a poster with Reis' image and someone shouting, "Here we step on the head."
Matheus Reis has publicly denied any intention to attack Belotti during the game.
According to the CD's statement, proceedings have been initiated against Matheus Reis Lima and Maximiliano Javier Araújo Vilches, as well as against Matheus Reis Lima, Geovany Tcherno Quenda, and Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD.
This escalation comes after a contentious Portuguese Cup final that has sparked complainants from numerous parties and calls for disciplinary actions, refereeing reforms, and even broader changes in football governance and fair play.
The Portuguese Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee has initiated proceedings against Matheus Reis and Maximiliano Javier Araújo Vilches for their conduct during the Portuguese Cup final, and also against Matheus Reis Lima, Geovany Tcherno Quenda, and Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD, due to their involvement in European football leagues. The proceedings include charges from the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, Benfica, and César Boaventura, and also relate to social media publications following the cup final, which caused controversy.
