Jose Mourinho criticizes officiating after Benfica’s draw with Casa Pia
Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on match officials following his team Benfica’s failure to secure victory against Casa Pia on Sunday, claiming his side “deserves more respect,” reports BritPanorama.
The Portuguese giants squandered a two-goal lead in a match that ended 2-2, with a disputed penalty decision proving pivotal in the second half. Mourinho expressed his fury at what he perceived as substandard officiating, which he believes has hampered Benfica’s championship aspirations, now leaving them six points behind league leaders Porto.
Despite leading 2-0, Benfica’s dominance evaporated following a controversial handball call that led to a penalty. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin initially saved the shot, but a follow-up from Tomas Araujo resulted in an own goal, allowing Casa Pia to level the score. The match’s outcome was further compounded by Sporting Lisbon’s last-minute victory, adding to the disappointment for Benfica supporters.
Post-match, Mourinho alleged that the officials “reopened” a game that had been effectively settled. He stated, “Casa Pia didn’t have a single shot on goal,” and labelled the penalty decision as “a blatant and egregious error.” His assertion highlighted a perceived inconsistency towards Benfica, whom he insisted deserved greater respect not merely from the officials but from everyone connected to the club, including his players.
In the aftermath, club president Rui Costa echoed Mourinho’s sentiments, stating that Benfica would pursue a preliminary hearing with the Arbitration Council, criticizing the recent officiating as “far too serious.” He emphasized that recurrent inappropriate decisions could significantly impact championship outcomes, noting how seemingly minor errors could drastically alter the landscape of the competition for teams.
Since Mourinho’s appointment in September, Benfica’s performance has seen six victories from twelve matches, placing them third domestically. As the club navigates both league struggles and a lack of consistency, Mourinho’s comments could be viewed as a rallying cry in a challenging season for one of Portugal’s footballing giants.
In football, a manager’s words can often reverberate far beyond the pitch — a reminder that in this sport, respect is often as crucial as skill, and fiery encounters with the officials can ignite passions as much as a thrilling match itself.
