For several weeks, Portuguese police officers have been on strike to demand better salaries and working conditions.
A mobilization which threatens the holding of the match between Toulouse and Lisbon.
In a press release, police unions announced massive protests on February 15.
Or the day of the first leg between the Hauts-Garonnais and Roger Schmidt's players.
A mobilization which worries the Portuguese authorities.
José Michel Albuquerque, president of the Portuguese Association of Sports Law, declared in the columns of the newspaper A Bola: “I think it is possible that the clubs will be sanctioned with a defeat if there is no match in Portugal, during a European competition due to lack of control.”
Last weekend, certain Portuguese first and second division matches, including those of Sporting and Famalicao, were postponed due to this strike action.
UEFA's restricted schedule could push the authorities to postpone or even completely cancel the first leg between the two teams.
In the second case, Benfica would be forced to forfeit and suffer a defeat on the green carpet (3-0).
A victory which would give the purples a definite advantage before the return match on February 22.
A scenario that cannot be ruled out when we know that such a rule was applied in 2021 during the meeting between Rennes and Tottenham.
Due to a large number of Covid cases in the English ranks, the London club was forced to withdraw, which resulted in Rennes qualifying for the rest of the Europa Conference League.
While waiting to learn more, TFC will host Nantes this weekend as part of the 21st day of Ligue 1.