Brazilian footballer and Benfica’s central defender: Ânderson Luís da Silva’s ban has been extended to cover every competition played anywhere worldwide by FIFA’s governing body as a disciplinary measure for his violent act against the referee in a friendly match against Dusseldorf last month. FIFA has taken this action in tune with its disciplinary code’s article 136 which deals with any intolerable act by any player within the field. As a result, Luisao will not be able to play any match, club level or international, during his ban period of two months. Further, during the investigation, if there happens to be further warranted action; his ban can further be extended for another period which can either be parallel to his initial two month’s ban or after the expiry of first two months. Meantime, until now, the judgment looks complete and final with two months extended ban on star defender who is known for his lost temper during the field.
Last month, when the incident took place, Luisao defended his act saying he did not push the referee deliberately, but Portuguese federation accused him for his considered act of violence where he knowingly pushed the referee to lay him down on the field. Then, Portuguese federation imposed a two month’s domestic ban on him which is now extended to have a worldwide impact on all his match appearances. Luisao has played most of his career matches for Benfica; perhaps the counting of all match appearances for Benfica is more than 300 matches including seven league titles. Besides, he also has many acknowledgements to his name which show how talented soccer player he is, but his on-field attitude sometimes becomes intolerable bringing him in news for wrong reasons.
FIFA made its decision public via its website where it mentioned, “FIFA has informed the Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) that the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended the two-month suspension imposed by the FPF on the player Luis da Silva to have worldwide effect.
This decision, which was communicated yesterday and is in accordance with Article 136 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, comes after the Benfica captain attacked a referee during a pre-season friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf last month.”
So, Luisao will not be able to participate in first four Champions League’s matches scheduled for next two months for Benfica. Let’s hope for the best and pray for Luisao’s controlled state of mind during matches.