Source:REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
[Saba Sports News] According to European football’s governing body, UEFA, Benfica’s complaint about Federico Valverde’s violent conduct was rejected, and Benfica expressed disappointment at UEFA’s decision not to impose any disciplinary sanctions. Benfica announced in a statement that UEFA decided not to punish Valverde for assaulting Samuel Dahl during the first leg of the Champions League qualifying round. The incident occurred in the 83rd minute of the first leg of the Champions League playoff, when Valverde struck Dahl in the face with his hand; the referee awarded Benfica a free kick, but Valverde did not receive any card. With no punishment, Valverde will be able to represent Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Benfica next Wednesday at the Bernabéu.
The editor believes that, given video evidence clearly showing Valverde attacking Benfica player Samuel Dahl, this action should have been red-carded in the match. Yet UEFA did not impose any disciplinary punishment, and even after the match, this rejection did not lead to any additional sanction for Valverde. It has to be said that UEFA’s handling of this matter is perplexing.