Benfica criticizes referee report and club communication strategy

Sport Lisboa e Benfica has issued a formal statement expressing indignation regarding the refereeing during their match against Santa Clara. The club is contesting a report by referee Cláudio Pereira, who claimed player Jhon Durán responded to provocation with inaudible words that contributed to a generalized conflict. Benfica argues that video footage does not show any aggressive or provocative gestures from the player and has called for a rigorous investigation by the Disciplinary Council to address what they describe as a false account of events.

Separately, former communications director João Gabriel has publicly criticized the club's leadership and its current communication department. Gabriel noted that Marco Silva is often left to defend the institution alone during controversies. He specifically targeted the perceived invisibility and lack of a coherent narrative from the current communications director, Pedro Pinto, suggesting that the club's reliance on predictable statements is insufficient for protecting its institutional image.