Hosting Portuguese giants Benfica became always going to be a tall order for Belenenses on Saturday, but the Primeira Division club's assignment became a great deal extra daunting as they kicked off with just nine guys on the sector.
A spate of coronavirus instances decimated the Belenenses squad in the construct-as much as the suit.
They have been seriously weakened for Saturday's conflict, even selecting a reserve goalkeeper to fill in as an outfielder earlier than forcing an early stop to the suit just after half of-time.
The club's woes began within the week, when one in every of their gamers who had proven signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 examined high quality for the virus.
Further tests threw up a total of 17 instances, 13 many of the gamers and four extra within the team's education staff.
The game however went ahead, despite the outrage of several Belenenses players who released a joint announcement on social media.
O futebol só tem cor se tiver competição. O futebol só tem cor se tiver verdade desportiva. O futebol só tem cor quando é um exemplo de saúde pública. Hoje, o futebol perdeu a cor. P.C.Twitter.Com/ujjv5H5Ffp
"Football best has coronary heart if it's far aggressive. Football only has coronary heart if it's miles certainly wearing," the message examine.
"Football best has heart whilst it is an instance of public fitness. Today, soccer misplaced its heart."
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