Ribeiro e Castro: "Communications between Carlos Xistra and Fábio Veríssimo must be known"

The communication between the referee Carlos Xistra and the video-referee Fábio Veríssimo referring the analysis and the interpretation of the key plays of the Benfica-FC Porto, which resulted in notorious damage to the eagles in the League Cup semi-final, should be made public. This obligation was defended by Ribeiro e Castro, the former director of the Reds, in statements with Rádio Renascença.

"I recall that in the first year in which the VAR was used in Portugal there have been a number of cases in which this has happened, in which the communications were disclosed. Given the seriousness of this case, the same must be done.", claimed Ribeiro e Castro in the program "Bola Branca".

"Benfica's disallowed goal was not offside, for me, it is absolutely clear, and there are doubts in other plays, the first goal from FC Porto, etc.All this, in some cases, may have some subjectivity, but the communication process between the video referee and the referee is fundamental", he stressed.

 Evaluating the clássico, Ribeiro e Castro praised the performance of the Benfica squad.

"Benfica made a good match, but the "clássico" was clearly marked by the referee's influence. Benfica fought, could and should have won", stated the former director.

Text: João Sanches

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica /Archive