Benfica refutes aggression towards journalist and breaks relations with CMTV.

The atmosphere of tension between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and CMTV is reaching alarming levels, following a serious accusation made by a journalist from the station, Gustavo Lourenço. In an official statement issued this Tuesday, the club from Luz not only categorically and vehemently denied the allegations of assault but also announced an immediate cut in institutional relations with the Medialivre Group, which controls both CMTV and the newspaper Correio da Manhã.

Benfica, one of the largest football clubs in Portugal, took a firm stance by stating that “it is completely false that any member of Sport Lisboa e Benfica has assaulted or threatened any journalist.” The statement reveals that the situation stems from an attempt by the club to protect its players and coaching staff from Lourenço’s “persistent approaches,” which, according to Benfica, demonstrated a “manifest lack of respect for the basic rules of institutional coexistence.”

The seriousness of the accusations has not gone unnoticed. The club, in an assertive tone, declared that such statements not only harm the honor and good name of the institution but also that of Gonçalo Guimarães, the press officer of Benfica, who was directly implicated in Lourenço’s complaint. The statement emphasizes that “such imputations are, therefore, entirely unfounded and detrimental to the honor, good name, and reputation of Sport Lisboa e Benfica and its professionals.”

CMTV, in response, stated that Lourenço will file a criminal complaint against Guimarães, alleging that the press officer assaulted him on Thursday in the Azores, before the match against Santa Clara. Additionally, the journalist claims to have been threatened with further assault at the following training session, stating that “he would do it again as many times as necessary.”

This unfolding of events not only ignites a debate about the relationship between clubs and the press in Portugal but also raises questions about ethics in sports journalism and the treatment of public figures. Sport, which should be a field of unity and celebration, now finds itself embroiled in controversies that could have long-term repercussions on the dynamics between the media and clubs. Benfica is determined to protect its image and, with this criminal complaint, aims not only to clear its name but also to send a clear message about the consequences of unfounded allegations.