Belenenses’ Primeira Liga clash against Benfica was abandoned at the start of the second half after the hosts were unable to field a team due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Prior to kick-off, Belenenses could only field a team of nine players —which included two goalkeepers — after reports in Portugal stated 14 players had tested positive for COVID-19.
After 45 minutes, Benfica were winning 7-0 — which included a hat-trick for Darwin Nunez and a brace for Haris Seferovic.
Belenenses’ nine players returned to the pitch but after two minutes into the second half the match was abandoned after three players left injured.
Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares insisted his side did not request a suspension despite the COVID-19 outbreak within the squad.
He said: “We have 38 players registered and we trust them all. Therefore the decision is up to health authorities. We will wait and we are going to respect their decision.”
FIFA regulations state that if a team goes below seven players, the match will be abandoned and a walkover victory awarded to the opponent.
(Photo: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
