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.

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"I dont want to be at Benfica" ( Diego Souza)

According to "a Bola" Diego Souza told a Brazilian radio station that his main objective is not to stay at Benfica. Benfica has refused Gremio's 3mm offer(apparently it was 3mm + Jhonatan not 3.5mm) and will not entertain any offers below 4mm. The player claims that there are other Brazilian clubs interested and would give any of those clubs preference over Benfica.


There are a lot of Benfica fans that would love to see Diego Souza back in a Benfica jersey, that seems highly unlikely now. I always thought that if Benfica wanted the player back they would have made a formal anouncement in the past couple of days, right after the December 31st deadline.
Souza had a very short stay at Benfica, getting very little playing time and falling victim to, what some may say, as an internal conflict between directors of the club. Diego was loaned out to Flamengo in 06 and then to Gremio, where he "blew up", becoming one of the best players of the Brazilian league. His performances have earned him a call up to Brazil's Olympic team who will be in China this Summer.
Ever since the player was sent out on loan, the player showed no interest in returning to Benfica. He felt that he was treated unfairly by the club and was always very public in his claims of not wanting to return to Portugal. A couple of days ago i read that he was actually interested in returning. It was the first time i heard interest in returning from Diego Souza.
There is no doubt that Diego Souza is talented, he is only 22 years old and has matured a great deal. There is no doubt in my mind, Diego could be a great addition to Benfica's squad, but after reading the article in "a bola", i have become disenchanted with Souza. Benfica should only want players who would be honored to wear the Benfica jersey.
So, if Benfica didn't have much interest in bringing back Diego Souza, which seems obvious, after this interview it is clear on where both parties stand.
Could Diego's statements been avoided? - Absolutely. If Benfica had shown the player that they were interested in bringing him back, or even some type of assurance that this time around it would be different, the player would have certainly bit his tongue and could be packing for Lisbon right now.
It seems to me that Benfica is counting on the money from the sale of Diego to go shopping themselves. Right now there is no other player that is not part of the current squad that is worth more than 4mm. That is the only conclusion i can make.
Benfica has been more than notorious for having players under contract and letting them go, with those players later becoming great players, Deco being the most obvious one.
There is no doubt in my mind that this situation is a similar situation, Diego is only 22 and his progression margin still has quite a ways to go. Benfica is selling the player for 4mm, but i bet that he will be worth double after the summer olympics.
Seems like another LFV mistake in the making.


From "A Bola"
Link to article


«Não quero ficar no Benfica» (Diego Souza)
Terminado o período de preferência para o Grémio na contratação de Diego Souza, o jogador lembra que há outros clubes brasileiros interessados e que «o principal é não ficar no Benfica».



O Grémio, clube onde Diego Souza alinhou na última temporada, tinha direito de preferência pelo jogador brasileiro até 31 de Dezembro passado, mas passou o prazo sem que conseguisse apresentar uma proposta convincente para os «encarnados».O clube de Porto Alegre fez uma proposta de três milhões de euros, mas o Benfica não negocia abaixo dos quatro milhões.«Agora, fico a aguardar para ver o que vai acontecer. Por enquanto, não está nada definido», explicou o jogador, em entrevista à Rádio Bandeirantes.O director de futebol do Grémio, Paulo Pelaipe, alertou que o Palmeiras entrou forte na luta pelo jogador e tornou-se o grande concorrente na aquisição de Diego Souza. A oferta da formação de São Paulo chegaria aos 3,3 milhões de euros.«Grémio, Palmeiras e São Paulo são grandes equipas. Jogaria em qualquer um deles sem problemas», despistou Diego Souza. «O principal é que não quero mesmo ficar no Benfica», emendou.

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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.

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Time's running out on Gremio

Reports out of Brazil are that Gremio is willing to offer 3.5mm and their young promise Jhonatan to Benfica for Diego Souza's pass. As you may recall Gremio has been struggling to come up with the 4mm Benfica is asking for, even going as far as taking on a investment partner who is "shelling" out 3mm of the 3.5mm offer. Benfica has not budged with their figure and Gremio has tried everything possible. The head of Benfica's prospection, Rui Aguas, observed Gremio's Junior team not too long ago and Jhonatan and Wagner were the players that were made note of. Jhonatan is an 18 year old forward that was part of the senior team towards the end of the season for Gremio, he is also part of Brazil's u-18 National team, and is one of the most promising players coming out of Gremio's feeder system.

Benfica is obviously counting on this money for January. It's a shame, i'd really to see Diego Souza come to Benfica, Benfica only has to gain with his return. For one he has become a more mature player and is very far from the player who was once part of Benfica's squad, on a more farsighted observation, this player will most likely be the captain for Brazil's Olympic team in this summers Olympics, just think of how much he is going to go up in value if he has a great tournament. Even if he doesn't have a good summer tournament, there are plenty of teams in Brazil that want him. Benfica can use a player like Diego in their squad, the thing is that they will need to give Gremio every chance to acquire the player, if they want to keep the player. It's a waiting game until Wednesday.

Read the news article by expanding the whole post.

From Globoesporte.com
Clube oferece Jhonatan por Diego Souza
Atacante de 18 anos serviria como parte do pagamento para compra do volante ao Benfica

Destaque das categorias de base, o atacante Jonathan, de 18 anos, deve ajudar a manter Diego Souza no Olímpico. A direção do Grêmio concordou em ceder o jogador ao Benfica como parte do pagamento dos € 4 milhões (cerca de R$ 10,2 milhões) exigidos pelo clube português pelos direitos federativos do volante.

A resposta do Benfica à proposta gremista é esperada para quarta-feira, dia 2. O Grêmio teria oferecido o atacante Jonathan e mais € 3,5 milhões (R$ 9,1 milhões). Deste montante, € 3 milhões (R$ 7,8 milhões) viriam dos cofres da empresa que se propôs a fazer uma parceria com o clube, com o objetivo de lucrar com uma futura venda de Diego Souza.

O Benfica manifestou interesse em dois jogadores das categorias de base do Grêmio. Além de Jonathan, o zagueiro Wagner também interessa aos portugueses. Ambos foram observados de perto pelo olheiro Rui Águas, em dois jogos do Grêmio na Copa Paulo Rogério Amoretty. Mas o Grêmio só concorda em ceder um jogador.

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