Reis says he had “no intention” of injuring or hurting Belotti
Sporting CP defender Matheus Reis is facing an official inquiry after stepping on the head of Benfica’s Andrea Belotti during Sunday’s Portuguese Cup football final.
The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) confirmed the investigation to Notícias ao Minuto, stating it was launched following a formal complaint. The case may result in Reis being accused of offense to physical integrity, a charge under Portugal’s Penal Code.
The complaint is believed to have been filed by football agent César Boaventura, who publicly claimed on social media that he had submitted a detailed accusation. Boaventura described the action as “violent, unnecessary, and outside the play”, referring to the moment when Reis stepped on Belotti’s head late in the game.
Whether the Sporting player did so intentionally or not is what the investigation will attempt to establish. What is not expected to work in Reis’ favour is the fact that Sporting posted a video online – later deleted – in which players are heard joking about the incident.
Meanwhile, Benfica has formally lodged its own complaint, targeting both Reis and teammate Maxi Araújo, who they accuse of elbowing Belotti earlier in the same match — an offense the club says should have drawn a second yellow or a straight red.
Benfica has criticised the match officials, pointing out that referee Luís Godinho’s match report made no mention of the incident, which took place near the corner flag in stoppage time. The club is calling for suspensions that could range from one to ten matches, depending on the Disciplinary Council’s findings.
Reis, for his part, broke his silence in an Instagram story posted on Tuesday. “At no point was there any intent to injure,” he wrote. “It was a fast, physical play, but completely legitimate,” he said, adding that he stepped on Belotti’s head because he “lost balance”, arguing that the referees agreed as he was not sent off and Belotti was also able to recover and continue playing. “What happened afterward was part of the celebration and should not be turned into a weapon against me or Sporting,” the Brazilian defender said, referring to the joking chants.
The 30-year-old, who has previously made headlines for on-field incidents dating back to his Rio Ave days, may now be facing a lengthy suspension depending on the outcome of both criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
