Benfica file complaint against Sporting with Federation

Benfica file grievance with the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary council against Sporting for the potential illegal use of Joao Palhinha during the clubs recent Lisbon derby encounter on February 1. The Sporting midfielder had received his fifth yellow card of the season against Boavista the week prior which leads to an automatic one game suspension but Sporting appealed to the Central Administrative Court who suspended the decision that had suspended Palhinha from playing in the Lisbon Derby. Palhinha came on as a substitute during the game and was on the field when Sporting scored the winner in additional time which motivated Benfica to file the grievance against Sporting for going through the civil courts, something that is not permitted by sports regulations. Palhinha has continued to play for Sporting while his suspension is under analysis as Sporting risk being deducted points and fined if the disciplinary council rule in favour of Benfica.

Benfica interested in Napoli fullback

Italian website Tuttomercatoweb is reporting that Benfica has reached out to the representatives of Napoli right back Elseid Hysaj who's contract ends at the conclusion of this season and is currently free to negotiate a new contract with any club. The 27 year old right back has played in only half of Napoli's league games, with the majority of those games played at the left back position. The Albanian international joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 for €5M from Empoli and has appeared in 208 games for the Italian side across all competitions, scoring once and providing nine helpers. Hysaj is said to be ready to move from Napoli as his playing time has diminished over the past couple of seasons. Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has not been content with his options at the right back position after the season ending injury to starter Andre Almeida and has flipped flopped between summer signing Gilberto and youngster Diogo Goncalves. Benfica are hoping that Hysaj will bring a bit more stability to the position whether it be in a number one role or as the clubs back up.

Jorge Jesus returns behind bench against Famalicao

Jorge Jesus will be back on the sidelines when Benfica take on Famalicao in Week 18 action tomorrow night in Lisbon. Jesus has been out while he battled a COVID-19 infection and will look to right the ship at the club going into the second half of the season. Benfica currently sit in fourth place in league standings and are eleven points behind league leaders Sporting. Benfica are also winless in their last four league games, scoring only two goals in that span. Jesus' return has been nothing but a complete failure to date and if the club continues this form it could see the JJ era end very shortly.