The Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB) rejected and condemned Benfica’s behavior on Sunday evening after the club refused to participate in the delivery of the championship trophy to Pavilhão João Rocha.
“With regard to the absence of sports agents from Sport Lisboa e Benfica at the awards ceremony for national champions, the Portuguese Basketball Federation rejects and strongly condemns such behavior, considering it a violation of the principles of sports ethics,” the body said in a statement.
Benfica’s position came after the basketball team won a second championship at home against Sporting CP by winning the play-off quarter-finals (101–85), in a game preceded by controversy in which the “incarnations” accused the FPB of “duality” .
In question was the fact that the Sporting Travante Williams player was fit for the match he played after having assaulted a government agent in the previous match, without any disciplinary action being taken by the FPB.
“Two cases, two players, two clubs and two opposite decisions: Travante Williams attacked a government agent and was sent off, but will play Benfica today; Ivan Almeida was accused of trying to attack the arbiter, later proven to be false, but he was suspended for a month! It is incomprehensible and unacceptable,” Benfica explained, accusing the FPB of double standards.
After winning the championship, the “incarnated” announced that they would not participate in the awards ceremony, given the “discriminatory and unacceptable behavior on the part of the Portuguese Basketball Federation and its Disciplinary Council, chaired by Carlos Filipe.”
In response, at dawn, the FPB said that it was ready to take all measures to ensure that “such behavior” does not happen again, “without prejudice to the disciplinary consequences provided for by the regulations.”
In the play-off final, Benfica regained the title with a victory over Luz and two wins over Pavillao João Rocha, while Sporting CP won the game at home against their opponent.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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