Disciplinary proceedings against Bruno Lage following a grievance from Sporting
In the aftermath of Benfica's victory in the Portuguese Super Cup, a disciplinary case has been initiated against coach Bruno Lage. The case was opened following a complaint by Sporting, who allege that Lage made offensive remarks towards the match officials during the final moments of the game.
The match, held at the Algarve Stadium on July 31, saw Benfica emerge victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal by Pavlidis. However, the celebration was marred by controversy as Benfica's goalkeeper coach, Nuno Santos, was sent off during the game's closing stages.
Sporting's complaint, lodged under article 123 of the FPF’s disciplinary rulebook, accuses Lage of "injúrias à equipa de arbitragem" or insulting the refereeing team. Eyewitness microphones near the technical areas captured Lage allegedly using the phrase "arbitragem de merda" and other expletives against referee Fábio Veríssimo after several contentious calls.
Lage has denied the accusation, stating in a statement to Lusa, a news agency, that he did not make the alleged comments. However, he did not provide any new details about the alleged offenses directed at referee Veríssimo during the final moments of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira derby.
Benfica has since described Sporting's complaint as "ridiculous" and criticized Sporting's behavior as "petty". The club regretted the "generous dose of imagination and bad faith" displayed by Sporting. In response, Sporting described Benfica's reaction as a "lack of sportsmanship".
The Disciplinary Council (CD) of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is now investigating the case. Potential penalties for Lage include suspension and a financial fine for serious verbal offenses against match officials. The case aims to "ascertain the possible disciplinary relevance of facts not described in the official reports" of the Supertaça.
Meanwhile, Nuno Santos, Benfica's goalkeeper coach, has also come under scrutiny following his dismissal during the final moments of the Supertaça. The details of the incident are not yet clear, but it is believed to have occurred in the heat of the moment during a tense match.
As the investigation continues, both Benfica and Sporting will be hoping for a swift resolution to the matter. The Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira derby is a highly anticipated annual event in Portuguese football, and this controversy has cast a shadow over the victory for Benfica.
[1] Source: Lusa News Agency, 2022.
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