Villas-Boas praises Fábio Veríssimo’s refereeing in a magical atmosphere.

André Villas-Boas, the charismatic president of FC Porto, did not hold back in praising the performance of referee Fábio Veríssimo following his team’s crucial victory over eternal rivals Benfica in the thrilling Taça de Portugal. At a ceremony honoring Mateus Mide, a young prodigy of FC Porto and under-17 world champion, Villas-Boas took the opportunity to comment on the match and the atmosphere experienced at the Estádio do Dragão.

“It was an extremely well-played game, difficult and contested in a magical atmosphere at the Dragão, which truly honored the spectacle. Excellent officiating, with no errors,” Villas-Boas stated, highlighting the importance of the referee’s work in a match of such magnitude. The Porto president also addressed the comments made by his counterpart José Mourinho, who questioned the fairness of the result. “That is the interpretation of the Benfica coach, nothing to say. He is entitled to his opinion.”

Villas-Boas emphasized that the match was a landmark in the national football calendar, especially as it became the most-watched game on free-to-air television this year. “When you hear that it was the most viewed game on free-to-air television this year, it marks the difference in the respect that these teams have for each other and the impact they have on national football,” the president noted, reinforcing the significance of the clash between the giants of Portuguese football.

The issue of Rui Costa’s presence, the president of Benfica, in the stands was also discussed. Villas-Boas shared a memory of his first game as president, which was also a Benfica-Porto match, revealing that he sat far from what he expected. “I know I was elected president and my first game was a Benfica-Porto, and I was given a different seat than I thought, in the sixth or seventh row at the Estádio da Luz. FC Porto reciprocates even better with the third row in our presidential box, but without any animosity towards Rui Costa,” he emphasized. He acknowledged the fierce rivalry among the three major clubs in Portuguese football but stressed that this does not prevent constructive dialogues on fundamental issues in the sport.

Lastly, Villas-Boas did not hesitate to comment on the damage caused to the FC Porto bench during the game, which resulted from incidents attributed to Benfica’s substitutes. “The only thing I can note is the tears in my substitutes’ bench on the Benfica side, endless damage in the stands,” he lamented. He called for security teams and the PSP to adequately care for the safety and well-being of the fans, without it turning into a battlefield.

Villas-Boas’ speech, filled with sentiments and reflections on the historical rivalry, not only reinforces his position in the club but also highlights the importance of maintaining respect in sports, even amidst the intense rivalry that characterizes Portuguese football.