Portuguese football is experiencing one of its most critical moments in recent years. SL Benfica, through its official channels and its president, Rui Costa, has issued a battle cry against what they perceive as a systemic lack of integrity in national officiating. The final straw was not triggered by one of their own matches, but by the Cup clash between Sporting Lisbon and Santa Clara, where a penalty awarded after an agonizing 12-minute VAR review set off all the alarms at the Estádio da Luz.

"Benfica has not held back. Through a statement titled 'Yet Another Scandal,' the club denounced a double standard that, in its view, systematically favors its direct rivals. 'It is a disgrace that stains the image of our football internationally,' part of the text read. Tension escalated when Rui Costa, during a public event, mocked the delay in refereeing decisions, suggesting that the results seem to be 'written in advance.

The pressure has been so immense that the refereeing body has begun to crumble. The officials involved in the VAR controversy have requested psychological leave, citing unbearable harassment from the media and social networks. Meanwhile, Benfica has decided to escalate its institutional stance, threatening to sever ties with the League and demanding a profound structural reform of the Refereeing Council.

This atmosphere of 'total war' comes at a time when competition at the top of the table is at its peak, yet the tournament's credibility is at an all-time low. Portuguese football is no longer just played on the pitch, but in the boardrooms and through official statements that promise an incendiary end to the season."

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