Europa League: how the Portuguese police could give Toulouse victory against Benfica

A mobilization that could do business for Toulouse FC. For several weeks, Portuguese police officers have been leading a social movement to obtain better working conditions and an increase in their salaries. And called for a massive strike on Thursday February 15, the date on which TFC must travel to Benfica Lisbon in the first leg of the Europa League play-off.

This protest movement could therefore directly threaten the holding of the meeting. And offer the Toulouse residents a 3-0 victory on the green carpet. “I foresee the possibility that clubs could be punished by a defeat if a match counting for a European competition cannot take place due to an insufficient number of police officers”, confirms, in the columns ofIn BolaJosé Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Portuguese Sports Law Association.

Tottenham beaten on the green carpet against Rennes in 2021

In 2021, UEFA did not hesitate to impose this sanction on Tottenham who, due to too many players positive for Covid-19, had not been able to field a starting 11 against at Stade Rennais. This match, counting at the time for the group stages of the Europa Conference League, was simply canceled, and the Bretons had consolidated their qualification for the next round, thanks to the defeat on the green carpet of the Londoners. The density of the UEFA calendar makes it more difficult to postpone matches to a later date, even if this scenario should not be completely ruled out.

Last weekend, the first division match between Famalicão and Sporting Portugal could not take place due to an insufficient number of law enforcement officers. A 3-0 defeat for Benfica on the green carpet would give Téfécé a major advantage, before the return match in the Pink City scheduled for the following week.