Barcelona secured an unlikely win over Benfica on Tuesday night, scoring in the 96th minute to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat after the home side had a criminal case dismissed in the same match. Raphinha was the hero of the evening for Barcelona – and the villain for Benfica.
The Brazilian forward was bottom of the list for Barcelona players during their injury-time winner, and at the heart of a scuffle that broke out in the tunnel after the match, with Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ broadcasting the shouts of players and staff without images.
According to A Bola in Portugal, as carried by Sport, Benfica president Rui Costa was one of the main characters involved, as was Eric Garcia for Barcelona. As the teams went through the tunnel, Benfica players reportedly began insulting the Barcelona players, and Barcelona match delegate Carles Naval had to get involved to separate Raphinha and Garcia from their opponents.
Costa left the Director's Box without saying a word to his counterpart Joan Laporta and walked straight to the tunnel after the match, where he went to arrest referee Danny Makkelie. The referees had to be escorted to their dressing room by security to get them away from Costa, and he could face a sanction if the incident featured in the UEFA report.
Raphinha also commented on the incident after the match.
“I am a person who respects everyone. When I left [the pitch]there were people who insulted me. I returned the insults. I know it's not allowed, but in the end we all got angry.”
“The Benfica team could have controlled themselves. If they respect me, I respect them. That's normal in football after a match like this.”
According to Cadena Cope, the Portuguese police were also involved. They say police blocked access to Barcelona's dressing room and also had to escort Raphinha away from the incident.
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