|
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:04 |
|
If you followed me on Twitter you'd know that I spend most of my time ripping into anyone and everyone connected with the game in Portugal - so don't be coming out with the insinuations. Also, we discussed the Cristovãó scandal on the last pod.
The point I was making wasn't contradictory, it was highlighting that even if there were some poor (or non) decisions, Benfica still should have had enough quality to beat those teams. The problem I have with what João Gabriel (and supporters like yourself) come out with is that you want it both ways: when you lose, the refs are biased. It becomes a crutch that excuses poor performances. When you win, and maybe benefit from a marginal call yourselves...I know being a football fan is by definition being self interested, but...
I've written and spoken a lot about the history of corruption in the Portuguese game on this site and elsewhere, so don't accuse us of giving people a free pass. Fact is that you have no proof, you just have suspicions, and past offences to fall back on.
The referees convicted in the Apito Dourado and Apito Final cases are no longer officiating. That's a fact. Both investigations ended unsatisfactorily, but that's as much to do with the incompetence and uselessness of the Portuguese justice system as it is with some omnipotent boogeyman. Judging by your name you're Portuguese, you know this.
Now I said on the pod that Benfica have historical reasons for suspecting a conspiracy, but what irks me is that every time something goes wrong, rather than face the problem the club (not so much the supporters, you can't expect them to be objective) stokes these old fires. As I said on the pod, it serves nobody!
And don't belittle the Liga compared to Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League. In their own ways those leagues are just as flawed, Serie A even more so.
Finally (sorry for the length) the idea that this site in any way encourages corruption is laughable. Absolutely laughable. I doubt the powers that be even know we exist, beyond the occasional application for a press accreditation.
Ben
|
