Overview

• Martim Mayer asked Rui Costa to include all five presidential candidates in Benfica's delegation to the Dragão to project unity around the team.
• His request cited José Mourinho's statement that players are feeling pressure from the ongoing election campaign.
• Mayer condemned Frederico Varandas' remarks about Benfica's election period, telling the Sporting president to focus on his own club.
• He said he expects an institutional apology from Sporting for the Jamor Cup final incident and pledged to seek an immediate meeting to demand it if elected.
• Varandas a day earlier rebutted Benfica's refereeing complaints, defended Sporting's titles, and invoked a quote attributing past decision-making power to Luís Filipe Vieira and Pinto da Costa.