On Monday afternoon, Estoril-Praia issued an official statement, in which it informs that it will proceed with the challenge of the duel against Desportivo de Chaves, which took place on Sunday afternoon and was marked by a controversial final stretch.

In a note signed by Ignacio Beristain, leader of the Estoril SAD, the club from Linha states that the episode that happened in Chaves was "very serious", even saying that it is "incomprehensible and unacceptable that the game was not definitively ended."

Estoril also points out that "one team benefited" from what happened and that "the aggressor was the one who gained an advantage" from this situation. The canaries also inform that they will challenge the game, which ended in a draw (2-2), in the "search for justice" and "sporting truth".

"Estoril Praia is taking legal measures so that justice is done for the defense of its athletes, its elements, and also for the best interest of Portuguese professional football. The decision-making and reaction capacity of all those involved in professional competitions must be relentless. Above all, Estoril Praia seeks justice and the defense of Professional Football in Portugal. The very serious episode that occurred in Chaves is a consequence of the lack of sensitivity and strength to make the best decisions in defense of the show and sporting truth," concludes the statement.

It is worth remembering that the final stretch of the match between Desportivo de Chaves and Estoril was interrupted for several minutes, after several Flavian supporters invaded the pitch and tried to attack Estoril players, leading to the expulsion of goalkeeper Marcelo Carné and defender Pedro Álvaro.

Check out the full statement:

"To all Portuguese Football,

Estoril Praia is a Club with values, proud to compete in the Betclic League, a modern, professional, and prestigious Championship. Estoril believes in the values of sport, fair play, and sporting justice.

Professional football should set an example for non-professional football about which are the best practices and behaviors to be adopted, and not the other way around. This weekend, in a district division, a player was attacked by an individual who was watching the match and, despite the fact that there was still plenty of regulation time left, the decision was made to immediately interrupt the game. In the Betclic League, the same thing happened, but it was decided to resume the match. One team benefited, and the aggressor was the one who gained an advantage.

Given the seriousness of the facts, Estoril Praia considers it incomprehensible and unacceptable that the game was not definitively ended. Estoril communicated to the referee the situation of insecurity felt by its players and technical team, requesting that he end the game, as it understood that the athletes were no longer in mental and emotional conditions to compete again. Even after the referee's decision to resume the match, objects continued to be thrown onto the field, proving that the necessary security conditions were not met. The security forces are responsible for the safety of the pitch, but it is the referee who decides on the emotional state of the players, as happened recently in the Italian Serie A match between Udinese and Roma in April 2024, when the referee decided to definitively suspend the match after a Roma defender fainted on the pitch 70 minutes into the game, understanding that the players were not emotionally fit to continue. Allowing the match to continue brought enormous sporting damage to Estoril and the competition, representing a wrong signal that acts of violence can be tolerated on the field.

Estoril Praia is taking legal measures so that justice is done for the defense of its athletes, its elements, and also for the best interest of Portuguese professional football. The decision-making and reaction capacity of all those involved in professional competitions must be relentless.

Above all, Estoril Praia seeks justice and the defense of Professional Football in Portugal. The very serious episode that occurred in Chaves is a consequence of the lack of sensitivity and strength to make the best decisions in defense of the show and sporting truth.

We would like to thank all those who have shown solidarity and words of appreciation for Estoril and our players in this difficult moment, not only for us but for all Portuguese football."

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