Benfica Losing Points To Corruption

 

 

As much as we all would like to think FC Porto is an honest football organisation that represents the integrity of the Liga Zon Sagres (I am not bashing FC Porto, just stating facts) in Portugal, they are not. After 6 match day results into the 2013/14 season, FC Porto once again lead Benfica by 6 points. Some can argue that FC Porto's success this season is due to their new brilliant coach Paulo Fonseca, others may say that although FC Porto have lost such key players as Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez to AS Monaco, they are still a strong team with the likes of Fernando ad Jackson Martinez. Personally, I am convince by FC Porto at all this season. Their mediocre team is currently in first place due to the corruption that is Pinto Da Costa.

Let's look again at matchday #6 where Benfica tied Belenenses 1-1 at home. Although Benfica lead in possession (65/35) and had target practice on goalie Matt Jones (Benfica 17 shots, 3 on goal, Belenenses 7 shots, 3 on goal) look at Diakité goal in the 30" was that not a goal that was considered to be offside? 2 players ahead of offside line. The argument can be made that it is a close call and that Fejsa was not doing his diligence by covering Diakité but how many close calls have we witnessed over the last few years in the Liga Zon Sagres due to poor judgement calls on referee's? Something tells me that native Aveiro ref Jorge Tavares may of been persuaded (or threatened) by one Pinto Da Costa.

 

Alright so I'm just being a paranoid, sore loser of a Benfica fan at this point right? Here, let me give you more examples. Let's go to minute 69 of the game, Cardozo is in the box trying to leap up in the air and head the ball past goalkeeper Matt Jones but if you look carefully, he is being held down by the Belenenses defense. Where is the call on that one? clearly there should of been a card issued and Cardozo would of been given a PK in which he would of scored. 2-1 final score.

Matchday #3 Lisbon Derby at Alvalade, Look at Fredy Montero's goal in the 15th minute. Clearly offside. If you look at the linesman on the top hand of the screen, Montero is clearly in front of him. Again, it may of been a close call but there are too many of these instances when the referee's judgement should be questioned.

The Solution

The solution to resolving the referee issues in Portugal is quite simple, UEFA needs to investigate further (because let's face it everyone knows about Apito Dourado) and crack down on the FPF and have non - Portuguese referee's at these games. How expensive would it be to fly in a ref from Spain, England or France? 50-60 Euros? or you can have a Portuguese ref but one who has no affiliation to the team.

As long as there are Portuguese refs like Pedro Proenca, Carlos Xistra and a few others in Portugal, our league will continue to be a parody to the rest of Europe.