Luisao -v- Katsouranis and other News

The hottest topic around all of Portugal's sporting world continues to be the incident between Luisao and Katsouranis. As you may recall, the incident took place during the second half of the Setubal-Benfica game, in which the 2 players got involved into a shoving match. The two players were immediately substituted by Camacho and were both suspended on Sunday, while an investigation was started by Benfica's SAD.


The incident took place after Katsouranis lost a ball that allowed Setubal to launch a quick counter in which Luisao had to foul the ball carrier in order to stop a dangerous attacking situation. Upon fouling Luisao proceeded to yell at Katsouranis for losing the ball and for costing him a yellow card, which he was awarded from the subsequent foul. Katasouranis didn't like being yelled at and responded in an agressive way, running towards Luisao to confront him, what followed was a sorry display of unprofessionalism, with obscene gestures from the Greek's part that culminated with both players shoving each other while team mates did their best to separate them.

On Monday, Benfica's SAD lifted the suspension imposed on Luisao, and the player was back in training today. Apparently the argument that lead to the suspension being lifted, was that Luisao is a sub-captain and had every right to call out Katsouranis on his mistake. After looking at some of the images, it is clear that Luisao yells at Katso and then turns his back and runs to take his position back in the defense, the Greek on the other hand, is the one that comes towards Luisao to confront him. These are some of the facts Benfica's SAD used in their investigation.

Katsouranis is still suspended and awaits the SAD's verdict. Both players are still waiting to find out how heavy the fine will be, but in the mean Luisao is already available to Camacho. Camacho would like the situation resolved as quickly as possible, so that it the air is cleared in the middle of the squad.

Following this morning's practice, Nuno Gomes, came out to the media room to talk to reporters, during the short press conference, Nuno apologized in the name of the group to all the Benfica fans and reiterated that such incident will not repeat itself.


On other news



Lyon will announce this wednesday the signing of Cesar Delgado, bringing to an end any speculation that the Benfica option was still on.

Also coming to a conclusion is Diego Souza's destination, according to Brazilian media reports the player is headed to Palmeiras. The Brazilian club is reported to have made a satisfactory offer to Benfica and his signing for Palmeiras will happen in the next couple of days.

The Algerian media is reporting Benfica's interest and subsequent preliminary negotiations for 21 year old center back Rafik Halliche. Halliche is currently hailed as one Argelia's best young talents, he currently plays for Hussein Dey and has a contract until 2010. According to the Argelian's club president, both him and Rafik are waiting on a Visa in order to travel to Lisbon to discuss the matter further with Benfica.

Continue Reading..

Cruz Azul targets Bergessio

According to EspnDeportes, Cruz Azul is close to making an offer to Benfica for Bergessio.

Cruz Azul is looking to deepen their squad after losing a couple players to the winter market, namely Borgetti and Nunez.

As you may recall, Benfica enquired about Cesar Delgado, but Cruz Azul was asking for too much money. This would have been a perfect situation to reach an agreement with Cruz Azul for the services of Delgado had it not been for Delgado's move to France being almost finished.

Also according to EspnDeportes , Delgado seems to have everything agreed with Lyon, the player is currently in Argentina, and will travel this week to France to go through the required physical exams, and to pen a contract with Lyon. The move to Lyon is worth a reported 5.9mm.

Continue Reading..

Market's Open

The January transfer window has opened. So far there hasn't been much coming out of Benfica, with the exception of the clubs directive publicly announcing that there is no interest from Benfica in Marseille's M'bami or Belenenses' left back Rodrigo Alvim.

I'm sure that in the coming days there will be some news, not to mention media speculation.

The deadline for Gremio has passed and Gremio await an answer from Benfica on the 3.5mm + Jhonatan offer for Diego Souza. Santos seems to also be interested in the player. Santo's deal would also involve a player as 4mm is a sum that is very high by Brazilian standards.

In today's German daily, Bild there is a report that Butt might be headed to Borussia Dortmund. Borussia's number one keeper is out for the season with a serious injury and the German club has been looking for another goalie. Arsenal's Lehman is the preferred choice but Dortmund can turn to Butt if Lehman falls through.

Lehman lost his starting job to Almunia this year and has expressed his desire to play more in order to earn a national team call up for this summer's Euro. Arsenal is willing to let go of the 38 year old for the right price and Dortmund seems to be interested. However Butt would certainly be cheaper for Dortmund. For Benfica it would be ideal, not only would Benfica reduce their payroll(it is rumored that Butt is the best paid goalie on the roster), but they would also solve the Moreira "problem".

Miguelito was officially introduced as a Braga player today, thus confirming the transfer.

The Cesar Delgado Saga continues. After Lyon's denial of having made an offer and of having reached any agreement with Cruz Azul, Cruz Azul is now investigating the possible involvement of a third party in the negotiations which might have given Cruz Azul the impression that it was a done deal, even anouncing it on their site. - for you conspiracy theorists Pinto da Costa is behind it.

Here are some of the players that have been rumoured to be Benfica targets, I say rumoured because none of them have been confirmed by the club

Soldado

Fred

Gilberto

Ruben Amorim

Arouca

Felix Katongo

Omar Bravo

Nicolae Dica

Bustos

Wagner

Zampagna
Baptista

I'm sure i'm missing a few others.

On other news, Benfica has authorized Leo to travel to Brazil this Sunday, following the Setubal game. Leo's father will be undergoing heart surgery this wednesday and the player has manifested the desire to be with his father following his surgery.

Continue Reading..

Benfica News 12/13/07

-Gilberto Silva is rumoured to have come to an agreement with Benfica. The left back has had a contract renewal proposal from Hertha for quite sometime, but negotiations have been frozen. The doubts comes from when Gilberto will join Benfica, This January or at the end of the season. I can't help but to think this is some kind of a plot to influence Leo. It will either put the squeeze on him and make him lower his wage demands, which are now 2 not 3 years, or it'll just upset him and make him leave. Leo told the media yesterday that Benfica is his house and he feels at home at Benfica.

-Still no news on Cesar Delgado, according to the Mexican media, the player's destiny should be resolved by Monday. Delgado is scheduled to go through the pre-season physical today. His Representative claims that Cruz Azul has the last word but it would have to offer the player an attractive offer to renew. In the mean time Olympiacos has a $6m usd on the table, but they would only be interested in a July transfer. Both Lyon and Benfica would be interested in the player come January. In the meantime, Cruz Azul will need the situation resolved quickly as they will need to fill Delgado's spot in the event of a transfer. Cruz Azul will start their season jan 2nd with games for the Interliga - article link ( ESPNDeportes).

-Yu Dabao was called by the Chinese Olympic team to play 2 friendlies against the US.

Continue Reading..

Cesar Delgado By Hours

According to ESPNDeportes, Cesar Delgado is a few hours from signing with Benfica. ESPNDeportes cites a source close to Cruz Azul. The contract would be for 4 and a half years. ESPNDeportes also reports that an agreement has been reached and right now only minor details need to be agreed on.

Original Article here ( in Spanish)

Continue Reading..