In a statement released a few hours after the conclusion of the match, Benfica asserts its demand for a redo of the Futsal League Cup final. Sporting secured a 2-4 victory at the Póvoa de Varzim Municipal Pavilion in a contest that concluded with several altercations.
In the same announcement, the Eagles highlight the incident involving Taynan, who disrupted ‘a dangerous move by Benfica’s attack less than a minute and a half before the end of the match, with the score at 3-2.’ The Lions’ player received only a yellow card for the action. Clube da Luz also acknowledges its intention to file a protest with the Portuguese Football Federation, vowing to pursue ‘the last consequences.’ The full statement reads:
Sport Lisboa e Benfica expresses deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing in tonight’s League Cup final, citing successive decisions that distorted the sporting truth, disadvantaged Benfica, and resulted in a grave precedent for national futsal.
Sporting player Taynan entered the field to halt a perilous move by Benfica’s attack less than a minute and a half before the end of the match, with the score at 3-2. Despite the rules being clear and requiring, at the very least, his expulsion, the player received only a yellow card. This was another erroneous and serious decision by the refereeing team, once again directly influencing the final result and the trophy’s award.
It is also perplexing that Taynan, who did not meet the expected sporting standards, was named the Man of the Match. Given the severity of the events at the Municipal Pavilion of Póvoa de Varzim this evening, Sport Lisboa e Benfica will take extreme measures to ensure that unacceptable unsportsmanlike conduct does not go unnoticed again and that the refereeing standard witnessed today is not repeated.
Sport Lisboa e Benfica will submit a protest to the Portuguese Football Federation and demand a repeat of the League Cup final.