Corona scandal in Portugal's soccer league: Because Belenenses Lisbon was only able to offer six players, the match of the bottom of the table against city rivals Benfica with German Julian Weigl was canceled in the 48th minute when the score was 0: 7. The reason for the plight at bottom of the table were numerous corona cases, as the Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola wrote. As soon as the teams walked into the stadium in Lisbon on Saturday, it became clear that something was wrong at all. Belenenses had just nine players against Benfica from the start, including two goalkeepers, one of whom was in midfield. Yawning emptiness on the bench.
Belenenses President Rui Pedro Soares criticized the league, which forced the club to play despite numerous corona failures. Benfica's president Rui Costa stressed that his club was obliged to play the game under the regulations, although they were anything but comfortable with it. What had to come came on the field. Kau von Belenenses scored the first goal in the first minute, but in his own goal. The favorite had scored six more goals by half time.
After half-time, only seven Belenenses players returned to the lawn, two remained in the locker room.
When João Monteiro, the goalkeeper who had to play in midfield, was injured, the referee broke off the game.
The outraged fans chanted: “The league is a shame!” The match will probably be rated 0: 3.
Soares tried to comfort his team.
"I've been watching football for 48 years and have never seen players as worthy as you who have been forced to play," the sports newspaper Record quoted him as saying.
In a corona outbreak, 17 team members, including 14 players and head coach Filipe Candido, were infected.
Next Barcelona win under Xavi
Thanks to two late goals, FC Barcelona also won their second game under the club idol and new coach Xavi Hernández in the Primera Division.
The Catalans came to a 3-1 (0-0) at Villarreal CF on Saturday evening.
The decision was only made in the final phase when Memphis Depay (88th) and the former Bayern professional Philippe Coutinho (90th + 4 / penalty kick) met.
Frenkie de Jong (48th) had put the guests in the lead, while substitute Samu Chukwueze (76th) managed to equalize.
Last week, Barcelona narrowly won the city duel against Espanyol at Xavi's debut as Barca coach.
The Spanish soccer cup winner moved closer to the European Cup positions due to the two successes and is seventh for the time being.
Juventus Turin, meanwhile, suffered the next setback in Serie A.
Four days after the defeat in the Champions League at defending champions FC Chelsea (0: 4), the Italian football champions Atalanta Bergamo lost 0: 1 (0: 1).
After the fifth loss of the season in the 14th game, the old lady initially slipped to eighth place.
Bergamo, meanwhile, consolidated fourth place even without the still injured national player Robin Gosens.
Duvan Zapata (28th) scored for the guests.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan pushed their way through a 2-0 (1-0) at newly promoted FC Venice up to one point on the leading duo SSC Napoli and AC Milan.
The former Bundesliga professional Hakan Calhanoglu (34th) and Lautaro Martinez (90th + 7 / hand penalty) scored for the defending champion.
Milan (against Sassuolo Calcio) and Naples (against Lazio Rome) are not required until Sunday.
In view of the investigation into balance sheet irregularities, Juventus emphasized that they had acted in accordance with applicable standards. Juventus is cooperating with investigators and the Italian stock exchange regulator, the Italian record champions announced on Sunday night. It is believed to have complied with the laws and regulations that govern the preparation of financial reports.
The financial police searched the club's offices in Turin and Milan on Friday afternoon on the orders of the public prosecutor's office.
The judiciary accuses the listed association of having made false reports and issued invoices for non-existent transactions.
It examines the balance sheets from 2019 to 2021. According to media reports, the investigators have their sights set on investment income from businesses worth hundreds of millions.
The "Prism" investigation is also directed against the club bosses.
"Juventus Football Club SpA takes note of the opening of investigations by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office against the company and some of its current representatives (Andrea Agnelli, Pavel Nedved e Stefano Cerrato)," the club said.
The public prosecutor's office is examining various transfers of professional players and the services of advisors who were involved in the mediation.
According to the sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, conversations tapped by the police also concerned former Juve star Cristiano Ronaldo.
With reference to the investigators, it is said to have turned to a confidential letter that related to the contractual relationship of the Portuguese and outstanding salary payments, but was not published by the responsible bodies.