“APAF reports Rui Costa and Benfica to the disciplinary council.”

The controversy that shook Portuguese football last weekend is far from calming down. The Portuguese Football Referees Association (APAF) has decided to file a formal complaint against Rui Costa and Benfica, referring the case to the Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). The reason? The incidents that marked the dramatic draw between Benfica and Famalicão (2-2), in a match that ended in complete chaos in the tunnel of the Municipal Stadium of Famalicão.

Referee Gustavo Correia, the central figure of the match, found himself at the center of a storm of criticism, not only for his performance on the field but also for what followed. Rui Costa, president of Benfica, did not hide his outrage and, already outside the stadium, launched strong accusations against the officiating team. “This gentleman came here to harm Benfica; they wanted to take away our second place,” Rui Costa fired, further fueling the tension surrounding the match.

These statements were immediately reported by the refereeing officials present at the match, including the main referee and the match delegate, which led the APAF to act quickly and decisively. The complaint aims not only to condemn Rui Costa’s public and aggressive criticism but also to protect the integrity of the work of Portuguese referees, who feel under increasing pressure.

Benfica, for its part, tried to downplay the situation, stating that it does not have any right to preferential treatment and assured that it is analyzing all the details of what it called an “operation” against the club. This reaction demonstrates the magnitude of the conflict, which goes beyond mere dissatisfaction with a refereeing decision and touches on deeper themes such as sports justice and the influence on the results of the championship.

In addition to the verbal confrontation, images of the chaos in the stadium tunnel have already gone viral, fueling debates on social media and in the media about the lack of civility and respect in national football.

This case serves as a warning for Portuguese football, which is facing a critical moment where trust in referees’ decisions and the conduct of officials are under scrutiny. With the complaint now formalized, the FPF’s Disciplinary Council will now have in its hands an explosive dossier that could dictate new directions for refereeing and for Benfica itself.

Rui Costa, an undeniable figure at Benfica, and the red club are at the center of this storm. The response from the Federation and the APAF could redefine the boundaries of what is acceptable in Portuguese football, making this episode a landmark for national sport. Developments are awaited that promise to further shake up the football landscape in Portugal.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.