According to reports coming from Portuguese newspapers, tax officials in Portugal have raided the offices of Benfica as part of an investigation into tax evasion not only by the Lisbon club but raids have also happened to head offices of FC Porto, Sporting, Braga, Guimaraes, Maritimo and Portimonense. Police and tax inspectors carried out a series of raids Wednesday morning as part of the operation which has been billed in Portugal as "Offside". The investigation is going back to 2015 and today's raid involved 180 police officers and 101 tax officials. Benfica have confirmed that the raids took place and are fully ready to co-operate with authorities as needed. Portuguese tax officials are said to be combing through transfers of players as prosecutors look for any proof that money was hidden which could lead to charges that include tax fraud and money laundering.
Benfica have dropped points in league action once again this time against Moreirense and have finally cost themselves top spot in the Portuguese League. Benfica who only a month ago had a seven point lead atop the Portuguese League have only won one league game in their last four, acquiring four total points in that span on their way to falling out of first place to their only rivals for the title FC Porto by one point. Benfica have struggled to finish of late and this game was no different with the club missing a host of chances to take the lead, the club had Pizzi miss two opportunities from the penalty spot and had a Rafa Silva goal called back after a VAR review that spotted a Pizzi handball before the ball landed at Rafa's feet.
Benfica ended up lucky to even earn a draw in the encounter with the goal to equalize coming in additional time. Benfica's winter transfer window continues to baffle fans more and more as this poor run continues, the lack of picking up an experienced central defender has caused the club to use a less then 100% Ferro regularly in the center of the defense while youngster Tomas Tavares continues to show that he is not ready for a regular role in place of injured Andre Almeida as he continues to be caught out of position, while adding little to the attack in the right back position.
Benfica continue their fight for the league title with a home game in Week 23 against Moreirense. After a disappointing exit during the week to Shakhtar in the Europa League round of 32. Benfica look to get back on track with a victory at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica will play Moreirense today
at 8:45pm WEST
and
they will dress 18 players from the list below.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Tomas Tavares, Alex Grimaldo, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Chiquinho, Pizzi, Taarabt, Franco Cervi, Rafa Silva, Samaris, Florentino, Julian Weigl, David Tavares
Forwards- Carlos Vinicius, Jota, Dyego Sousa
