Belenenses vs Benfica called off after hosts reduced to six players by Covid and injuries

Belenenses started with only nine players, including two goalkeepers, after being decimated by an outbreak of Covid-19 as game called off in second half

The match between Belenenses SAD and Benfica at National Stadium, in Oeiras near Lisbon was ended in the 48th minute, as Belenenses ran out of the minimum number of players, after starting with only nine, due to an outbreak of Covid-19. EPA

Belenenses's Joao Monteiro lies on the floor injured during the match against Benfica. Belenenses ran out of the minimum number of players, after starting with only nine, due to an outbreak of Covid-19. Followed by three injuries on the pitch that reduced them to six. EPA

The referee Manuel Mota speaks with players of Belenenses before calling the match off in the 48th minute. EPA

Belenenses's Henrique Pires in action against Benfica's Haris Seferovic. EPA

Belenenses' Henrique Pires in action against Benfica' Jan Vertonghen. EPA

Belenenses' goalkeeper Alvaro Ramalho in action against Benfica's Haris Seferovic. EPA

Benfica's Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring to make it 4-0. EPA

Benfica;s Julian Weigl celebrates after scoring to make it 3-0. EPA

Belenenses' Antonio Montez in action against Benfica's Haris Seferovic. EPA

Benfica's head coach Jorge Jesus. EPA

Portuguese referee Manuel Mota blows his whistle to finish the match at the start of the second half. AFP

Belenenses' Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Monteiro sits on the pitch at the end of the the Portuguese league football match between Belenenses SAD and SL Benfica at the Jamor stadium in Oeiras, outskirts of Lisbon on November 27, 2021. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

Belenenses' players arrive at the pitch before the match. AFP

Benfica's Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez celebrates with his teammate Rafa da Silva after scoring. AFP

General view of Benfica fans inside the stadium during the match. Reuters

Belenenses nine players pose for a team photo before the match. Reuters

Benfica's Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario is challenged by Belenenses' Portuguese midfielder Rafa Santos. AFP

Benfica players celebrate after Belenenses' Eduardo de Sousa Santos scores an own goal. AFP

A top-flight Portuguese game ended in farce on Saturday when the referee called the match between Belenenses and Benfica in the second half after Belenenses started with only nine players, including two goalkeepers, after being decimated by an outbreak of Covid-19.

Belenenses played one of their goalkeepers, Joao Monteiro, outfield and had no substitutes at the Estadio Nacional where Benfica reached half time with a 7-0 lead.

The game was called off by referee Manuel Mota three minutes into the second half, after three injuries meant Belenenses were reduced to six players.

"It was a disgrace to play here tonight," said Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares, applauding "the players who were forced to play".

Reports in Portugal claimed Belenenses were without 14 players due to Covid, as well as several members of staff.

Belenenses coach Filipe Candido had indicated on Saturday that he would have to promote some under-23 players due to injuries and suspensions.

After informing the league "that we didn't wish to play the match, we were told we had eight players able to play" and "not turning up could be considered an unjustified absence", said the Belenenses president.

"It's a dark chapter for Portuguese football," said Benfica president Rui Costa, adding that his club "just like Belenenses were obliged to play" to respect the rules.

Supporters in the stadium chanted: "The league is a disgrace."

Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva wrote: "What is this? Am I the only one who doesn't understand why the game hasn't been postponed?"

Belenenses sat 16th in the Primeira Liga at the start of the game while Benfica were third.