The air around Portuguese football never stays still for long. This Sunday, Martim Mayer, a man hoping to lead Benfica after the October 25th elections, spoke out sharply. He had some strong words about the Disciplinary Council’s (CD) recent ruling on the Portuguese Cup final. Mayer felt the decision simply didn’t go far enough.
He pointed fingers at two specific issues. First, he criticized how player Maxi Araújo’s actions were handled. Second, he felt the penalties given to Matheus Reis – a suspension and a fine – were too light. But Mayer didn’t stop there. He also took a swing at Benfica’s current board, led by Rui Costa. Mayer said their public statement, full of vague promises and questions, was nowhere near enough. It seems he believes the club needs to stand taller.
Mayer’s view is that the CD’s ruling, while confirming some problems, still fell short. He argued that it was clear the refereeing in the Cup final didn’t properly protect the game’s fairness. For him, this whole situation is very serious. It hurts the idea of fair competition and shows a deep lack of respect for Benfica as a club.
He believes Benfica, the club he envisions, must fight hard for fair play and the true spirit of competition. The club cannot just let its interests be harmed. This current state of affairs needs real change, not just talk. Mayer wants Benfica to take a strong, active role. He thinks they should push for a full investigation into what happened. The club should also lead a serious discussion to make sure the game stays honest.
For Mayer, a simple press release with good intentions and general questions is not enough to fix such a big problem. He’s demanding much more from the current leadership. He plans to keep pushing them until election day. Mayer made it clear that he will always stand firm in defending these values and the Benfica institution.