Benfica Faces €51K Fine After Penalty Row Sparks VAR Overhaul

SL Benfica has publicly called out referee Bruno Costa for failing to award three clear penalty claims in their 2-1 win over Alverca, a confrontation likely to accelerate discussions within Liga Portugal on refining VAR protocols.

Why This Matters

• Three unwhistled spot-kicks involving Schjelderup, Rafa Silva and Leandro Barreiro have reignited doubts over consistency in top-flight officiating.

• €51,000 fine looms under league rules for clubs that disparage match officials on social media.

• Extended VAR checks could become routine, potentially adding several minutes to every match day.

• Next fixture spotlight: Benfica’s trip to Tondela—already favored with nine penalties this season—will face intense scrutiny.

Contested Incidents at Estádio da Luz

From the opening whistle on 8 February, several collisions in Benfica’s attacking area drew loud appeals. In the 23rd minute, Andreas Schjelderup and defender Touaizi clashed inside the box, yet Bruno Costa, the AF Viana do Castelo official, waved play on. A Rafa Silva challenge from Bastien Meupiyou at minute 69 prompted protests on the Benfica bench and a yellow card for coach José Mourinho. The third shout came when Leandro Barreiro went down under pressure from Chissumba in the 74th. Despite slow-motion replays, neither the main referee nor VAR intervened. Meanwhile, a Vangelis Pavlidis header was nullified by video review for a handball, forcing Benfica to rely on Anísio Cabral’s 86th-minute strike to secure victory.

VAR Reliability and Rule Consistency

Liga Portugal Betclic’s rulebook empowers video referees to correct only “clear and obvious errors.” Yet this threshold often leaves stakeholders divided. Benfica has already converted 10 penalties this season, second only to Braga’s 11. Supporters argue that comparable fouls awarded to Tondela (9 spot-kicks) underline a double standard. League administrators counter that fewer interruptions preserve match rhythm. The tension between technology and human discretion is set to dominate discussions at the next referees’ summit.

Club’s Response and Potential Sanctions

SL Benfica’s official X account posted the phrase ÁREA. Falta. Segue three times alongside GIFs of the disputed tackles. Under Liga regulations, such direct criticism can trigger a disciplinary hearing and fines up to €51,000. At his post-match press conference, José Mourinho adopted a cautious tone: he admitted the incidents “could be penalties” but stopped short of labelling them “blatant.” His acknowledgement of inconsistency—"similar fouls often get whistled for other teams"—underscored long-running friction between the Lisbon giants and match officials.

What This Means for Residents

Fans and casual viewers should prepare for longer game days if the league broadens VAR review windows. Season-ticket holders at Estádio da Luz may notice matches stretching beyond 105 minutes as replays become more thorough. A hefty fine against Benfica could tighten their transfer budget, influencing squad depth for European nights—a concern for local businesses reliant on match-day trade. Heightened social-media restrictions may also limit in-stadium screen highlights, altering the live experience for supporters glued to real-time content on platforms like X and Instagram.

Looking Ahead: Governance on the Rebound

The Portuguese Referees Council will dissect Bruno Costa’s match report this week, with potential suspensions hanging over the young official. Proposals are circulating to centralize VAR operations in Oeiras, ensuring uniform camera feeds and unified decision-making. Meanwhile, all eyes turn to Benfica’s upcoming clash at Tondela, where a fresh batch of controversial calls could either vindicate or amplify calls for reform. In the end, every tweak to officiating ripples through kickoff times, stadium atmospheres and the weekend rhythms that shape life in Portugal.