Rui Costa angrily complained about the penalty: Portuguese football is very sick, and penalty kicks show that the referee does not understand the rules

In the 11th round of the Portuguese Super League on November 10, Benfica drew 2-2 with Casapia at home. After the game, Benfica chairman Rui Costa "hit the table hard" on the refereeing issue in Portuguese football and expressed his strong dissatisfaction.

Rui Costa believed that referee Gustavo Correa's decision to award a handball penalty to Antonio Silva was unacceptable, and pointed out that the referee and VAR violated the rules of the game when handling the goal that led to 2-1, Tomas Araujo's penalty kick for an own goal. While he admitted the team needed to have a stronger desire to win, he stressed that this weekend reflected the current state of Portuguese football.

Antonio Silva handballed in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty kick

Rui Costa said: "Today once again proved that Portuguese football is very sick. We do not evade responsibility, but such a penalty shows that the referee does not understand the rules. Today's penalty kick violated the rules of the game and restarted the original 2-0 game. The ball first Touching the chest and then touching the arm, the rules are very clear for such situations. This is not a controversial situation. The referee may make a mistake in the moment, but VAR cannot make a mistake, and there are too many such incidents."

Rui Costa also mentioned that Sporting CP's injury time goal against Santa Clara on Saturday was also controversial, and pointed out that this is how to win the league championship.

Rui Costa emphasized: "Benfica will make a clear request for a meeting with the body in charge of Portuguese football and the referee committee, because the current problems in Portuguese football are too serious. What happened in the past two days was too serious. One team was deprived of two points and the other team received two points. This is how to win the championship. Benfica will not be silent about this."

When asked about Mourinho's comments about disrespecting Benfica

Rui-Costa Costa added: "I am confused that the referee has taken so many courses but does not enforce the rules in very clear situations. I emphasize again: I ask the team to take responsibility, there are higher requirements, we did not play the performance we wanted in such an important and historical game, the fans deserve better performance, and I also apologize for that. But I am not discussing whether the penalty kick is valid, but discussing the rule itself, as was the case yesterday, these two cases are very obvious."