Jose Mourinho hints he could leave Benfica over officiating standards

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has voiced deep frustration with officiating standards in the Liga Portugal, saying they appear to benefit rivals. He described managing in two championships at once and hinted he could leave the Estadio da Luz if a level playing field is not restored.

Benfica sit third on 55 points in a title race the coach believes has been compromised by external factors. Mourinho introduced a stark distinction between what he called the "real and virtual classifications," saying his squad is fighting in two parallel universes.

"There are real and virtual classifications. The real one is the one that counts, but, if we want to hold on to the virtual one, there is a fundamental difference. The real one is the real one, but, as a leader of a group, I have to hold on also to the virtual one and that is a motivation for us.

Portugal

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