admin
LISBON. — Belenenses’ Portuguese top-flight match against Benfica was abandoned early in the second half on Saturday because the home side had only six players on the pitch — having been forced to start the game with nine men, including a goalkeeper, as an outfield player.
A Covid outbreak had left Belenenses with 17 players unavailable and their nine men were already 7-0 down at half-time.
And, after a delayed break, the team third from bottom emerged with just seven players due to injuries before a further injury immediately after the restart left them with only six — resulting in an immediate abandonment.
Benfica president Rui Costa said his side were “forced” to play, adding the two bodies who could have postponed the game, the league and the Directorate-General for Health, did not do so. “I regret what happened today, a dark chapter for Portuguese football and for the country itself,” he said.
Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva wrote on Twitter earlier in the match: “What is this? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the game hasn’t been postponed?”
Sporting Lisbon, third in the table behind Benfica, released a statement saying: “Portuguese football as a whole is seriously harmed today.
“What is happening has serious implications for the credibility of this championship and the institutions that regulate it.” — BBC Sport
Online Reporter