Rui Costa says Benfica feels highly harmed by refereeing and TV rights model

Refereeing and the FPF document

Speaking to reporters after a dinner marking the opening of the Casa do Benfica in Cantanhede, in the Coimbra district, Rui Costa said the club feels "highly harmed" and wants its championships decided on the pitch. He argued that the problems run through Portuguese football as a whole rather than affecting Benfica alone. Benfica has already handed the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) a document with proposals built on four pillars: independence, professionalisation, transparency and accountability. Rui Costa said referees need better working conditions, but above all greater accountability for what has happened in matches. He also demanded rigour, fairness and quality in refereeing.

“We have seen referees make brutal mistakes and, shortly afterwards, become internationals or be rewarded, and that is unacceptable in Portuguese football.”

The FPF's disciplinary council has archived Benfica's complaint about the referee team at the 3-1 defeat to FC Porto on 20 September. It found no passive or negligent conduct by the officials. The ruling did, however, criticise Benfica for the method it used to contest the refereeing.

Centralised TV rights

Rui Costa also attacked the centralised sale of TV rights, which he said would cost Portuguese football its competitiveness. He said the club would defend its interests until the end. He also demanded that the final league standings be decided solely by merit on the pitch.

“The centralisation, as it stands, will make Portuguese football lose competitiveness, and Benfica is the one most harmed.”

Membership and the Casa network

Benfica has completed its renumbering of members, which now stands at 321,438 associates, the largest figure ever recorded at the close of an operation of this kind. The updated numbers can already be checked in the club's app and on its official website, and physical membership cards begin shipping in January 2027. At the Cantanhede dinner, Rui Costa said the club's goal this season is to create or reactivate 15 Casas do Benfica, four of which already operate. Cantanhede's Casa is the 256th, and he named expansion of the network at home and abroad as a club priority. He thanked the officials who carried out the works themselves, starting in July.

Squad news

Rui Costa said no important player will leave in the next transfer window and that Gianluca Prestianni's contract renewal is nearly done, with more or less everything agreed. He praised coach Marco Silva. Prestianni was named the Primeira Liga's best player for September and October, adding that award to best forward and best young player for the same period. He scored four goals and provided three assists in the six matches reviewed. Rui Costa also said the Estadio da Luz will stay closed to the national team.