What On Earth Is Going On At Benfica?!

Benfica are the best supported and most successful club in Portugal, having won 37 Portuguese Primeira Liga titles, and 84 trophies in total, but following an era of dominance, the club currently appears to be in chaos.
The club's president Luís Filipe Vieira was arrested last month, along with a number of his associates, as Benfica's offices were raided - and his replacement, Rui Costa, hasn't inspired confidence among many Benfica fans.
In this short documentary, HITC Sevens investigates what is going at Sport Lisboa Benfica, the crimes their former president is accused of committing, and what could be next at the Estádio da Luz.

[@the_one_the_only4651]

Alfie can you do a video documenting the rise and fall of Oldham Athletic and how they managed to go from being founding members of the Premier League and having competed in the top-flight at recently as 1994 to now favourites to get relegated out of the Football League altogether here in 2021?

[@yannick245]

I didn't know that they were PL founding members! What a downfall..

[@teem4800]

1994 isn't recent but I get you

[@leehenry5764]

Oldham had one of the greatest escapes from relegation in first season under Joe Royal in the Premier league.

[@the_one_the_only4651]

@@leehenry5764 Yeah I know. They finished it off on the final day with a 4-3 win at Southampton. Le Tissier scored a hat-trick but Oldham stuck 4 past the Saints. Seems like a century ago.

[@malahammer]

@@teem4800 it is for the elders amongst us :)

[@paulaclemente1388]

As a benfica fan, thank you for addressing this situation in such detail Great video

[@yannick245]

I loved your old stadium. It was so huge! The 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final against Brazil was so impressive. There were like 120,000 people in the stadium. More than Camp Nou. _Edit: I looked it up. 127,000 attendence! At a junior world cup. I never saw more people at a football match, except for maybe Sidney 2000 at the Olympic Games._

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@exmsenhorbataguas6411]

@@yannick245 with modern regulations, an atendence like that will not happen again unfortunaly. Im a benfica fan also

[@dedasalmeida9047]

@@yannick245 looked ugly compared to the current stadium

[@ruialmeida7085]

Shit club who pays for fixed matches

[@MenWithVen]

Still hoping for a "What on Earth is Going on at Sunderland? Sunderland til I die showed our relegation to league one and failed attempt to get promoted back to the Championship, but a detailed look at the Premier League years before our relegation would be great, also looking at how things went after STID. The amount of bad luck and awful decisions and from board level down to the pitch is staggering. In the Ellis Short era, and then the Stewart Donald era. -England losing against Iceland essentially resulting in us losing Allardyce, a great manager for us at the time, only for him to be sacked by England after 1 game. -At one point having the 6th highest wage bill in the Premier League with nothing really to show for it. -The purchase of Ricky Alvarez, not playing him, trying to back out of signing him, losing a lawsuit to Inter Milan and still suffering financial implications to this day. -Signing the appalling Jack Rodwell and being financially crippled for years again -Playing Adam Johnson when the execs knew he was under investigation for sexual activity with a child. -Well known drinking culture among players, general poor professionalism. -Darron Gibson getting arrested for drink driving after a car crash. Gibson also filmed on social media off his tits bad mouthing the team and manager whilst still a player. -Losing twice at Wembley in League 1 including in the playoff final in the 95th minute. -Missing out on the playoffs after the season was cancelled due to COVID -Losing again in the playoffs last season I think its a great story for Alfie to get his teeth into.

[@davidusman4031]

That is a marvellous choice

[@natcrick]

this needs to happen!

[@joostverra9130]

so more like "What went wrong at Sunderland?"

[@MenWithVen]

@@joostverra9130 that's pretty much every "What on Earth is going on" video. History and context to let you know why things are the way they are.

[@vlonac7733]

If you run out of ideas you could do a "What On Earth Is Going On At Dinamo Zagreb?!" and I could help you if you need any help :)

[@reverse5163]

Ne samo za Dinamo, nego za sve najjace klubove iz ex Yu...

[@LG-hf8ni]

yeah , its sad to see. I mean as an german expat I dont get all the information , but for me it feels like our club is struggling to replace its best players and even though I´m happy to see them tear up the Bundesliga (Olmo , Gvardiol at leipzig and soon Jakic at Frankfurt) I´d prefer them at Dinamo and Dinamo being in the CL I just hope my 2 Clubs (VfB Stuttgart and Dinamo) are getting their acts together

[@_RS9]

@@reverse5163 no one speaks that language here

[@Dseraph1808]

Whats wrong with Dinamo Zagreb? U guys are still tearing up the league winning every year

[@reverse5163]

@@_RS9 Izvini smekeru

[@Omnipotentmonkey]

"-by an even greater historic figure, Eusebio" Julius Caesar: "u wot mate?"

[@PoetofHateSpeech]

He is a Leftoid that probably doesn't know anything about European history or thinks it's not important

[@janvisser4132]

@@PoetofHateSpeech It was a joke dude.

[@miguel_aquatico]

@@PoetofHateSpeech ahahahahaha you sound racist

[@PoetofHateSpeech]

@@miguel_aquatico hahahahahahaha you sound like a brainlet. What liking my heritage is racist? Hmm wouldn't you knocking me for that be the very definition of racism?

[@miguel_aquatico]

@@PoetofHateSpeech its just my suspicion 👀

[@mrsd8401]

I'm a big fan of these videos, and I believe this particular series serves up the best content on the channel

[@nirajankhadka0123]

Adrian from Rabona TV would love this. Not the scandal, just the video.

[@Micfri300]

I think he already did a video on it

[@vulxh]

When i saw benfica in the thumbnail i instantly though about Adrian

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@exmsenhorbataguas6411]

@@vulxh i tought it was a video of his when i saw

[@sithmaster1119]

Yeah, he likes to alternate between the tragedy of Benfica and sucking off Amorim and his lackeys.

[@jasonvoorhees3124]

I know/knew nothing about benfica, but as soon as a picture of taarabt popped up, it all made sense

[@TheOtto09]

Hahhaha he’s actually been really good for us for about 2 years now

[@frezzall5019]

God Taarabt

[@riverbear5779]

@@TheOtto09 he has not lol he sucks. I don't care how good his skills are...that man doesn't know how to perform a single simple pass. And he is a midfielder!!! That man alone destroys an entire game plan

[@engolukante6022]

@@TheOtto09 he is HORRIBLE but Eliseu 🤩

[@jjdefreitaswelsh9013]

As a Benfica Fan, I have known that some 'creative accounting' was being done. We have made 1 billion from player sales and spent 500 million in the last decade and yet the money coming into the club is disproportionate to the amount we are making.

[@sabrinab4827]

How is it so?

[@vinniatyla]

Moles dig holes and money flee through them. Benfica can’t fall. If it does, half of Portuguese football will fall too. They are to much connected in Portugal football’s bulls*it.

[@Miguel_Proud_Binary]

@@sabrinab4827 Its called Leeches, in Portuguese- sanguessugas, who took advantage of their position at the club to divert a lot of money from revenues, in fact Portugal has corruption and illicit enrichment in its society, from companies, banking, politics to football clubs, so we are a country in Europe without the economics and quality of life of the rest of Europe! Now even the opponents of rui costa in the elections are giving up because they have realized that the Club partners want to continue with the same system installed by the former president through his pupil Rui Costa, the Portuguese people have short memories and like to be tricked, it's in our genes, so Benfica will never again be able to compete with European Sharks at the highest level in the Champions League!

[@AfonsoHenriques1139]

You were always corrupt .. don't play nice to the Foreigners. You guys knew it and know it .. you only care about winning titles at any cost. That was and Will be your downfall.

[@Miguel_Proud_Binary]

@@AfonsoHenriques1139 Foi por isso que o Rei esteve tanto tempo no trono,só a justiça é que o obrigou a sair de lá senão seria mais uns bons anos a chupar o Clube até ao tutano, os sócios sempre souberam, irão ter o que merecem, sempre tivemos o pensamento de que a maioria nunca estaria errada, só a minoria, o futuro infelizmente não será mais risonho com o Principe Herdeiro, o tal que não sabia o que o Rei andava a fazer mas deu juras de amizade eterna ao Rei em direto na TV! O Textor tem razão numa coisa, um Clube como o Benfica não pode sobreviver apenas da venda de jogadores, as compras eram mais para as comissões, e não é por estarmos num País Pobre com um campeonato Pobre, o problema é termos sanguessugas corruptas nos Clubes, Banca, Política, Empresas, etc,... etc...o País está minado, por isso iremos continuar a ser um País Pobre e com um salario minímo miserável onde até em alguns Países de Leste da Europa já ultrapassaram a fasquia dos 600 e tal eur á muito tempo!

[@exmsenhorbataguas6411]

Continuidade Costa actually makes sense in Portugal, thank you Alfie.

[@jb_main612]

Criminal Costa or Costa Criminoso makes sense too. So Benfica fans are trying to say that Rui Costa who was Vieira's Vice President for a few years had no idea of what was going on?! LOL CORRUPTS. Benfica fans don't care if their club officials have integrity or are criminals as long as they are helping Benfica win, as soon as that changes the fans will turn on the new officials again.

[@TheBossvasco]

@@jb_main612 actually Rui Costa is only VPresident since October 2020 (last election) before that he was one of the SAD admins and sporting Director (but I get your point)

[@rubencarreira5124]

@@jb_main612 not Benfica fans in general... It´s Rui Costa himself, some of the press and the some brainless fans who put Rui Costa´s previous success as a player above his recent deeds, Rui Costa has Benfica fans 'love' for him on his favor. He´s been delaying new elections as well and I, as a Benfica fan, can´t understand how anyone still see Rui Costa as a decent replacement :/ But to be honest, none of the candidates for the elections are trust worthy nor present good ideologies...

[@natsudama4604]

@@jb_main612 lol You are saying that like we are the only corrupt team in all of football Open your fucking eyes

[@typeh_man6465]

BENITEZ IS THE FUTURE !

[@miglespt9750]

Just a correction: Rui Costa is not trying to delay the elections indefinitely. He stated early on that he would only do so after Benfica qualified for the Champions League and after the transfer market closed. Now that the market closed, elections were announced for the 9th of October, with a General Assembly brought forward by the fabs happening on the 17th of September to alter a series of regulations and create a series of checks with regards to future elections (namely the one about to happen). I'm not saying Rui Costa is guilty of wrongdoing, but I'm also not saying he's innocent. I too am very skeptical about him, despite loving him as a player, and therefore doubt he will be receiving my vote. But I just wanted to make that correction. Update (5/Sept): The president of the General Assembly adultered the order of business. Instead of actually bringing forth change in the electoral process and voting for it (which was what the fan movement brought forth with their petition signed by 10'000 club members as required), the president of the General Assembly made it so that they would ONLY DISCUSS IT given that, according to him, SUCH CHANGES CANNOT BE MADE VIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, according to him, only the administration has the legitimacy to make such changes. I'm guessing you can see the problem with that.

[@johncarter449]

é preciso sangue novo no Benfica, vais votar no mesmo? que pouco ou nada fez estes últimos anos?

[@duisaac1132]

@@johncarter449 mas o Vieira não era o rei sol? O que mandava no clube como se fosse sua propriedade? Tirando o dso, os outros eram apenas figurantes. Não percebo o que o Rui Costa podia ter feito de diferente

[@miglespt9750]

@@johncarter449 o que eu escrevi foi exatamente no sentido contrário. Duvido imenso que terá o meu voto. Pelo que terei que esperar para ver quem se candidatar. Espero poder ter a oportunidade de votar outra vez no Noronha Lopes.

[@Miguel_Proud_Binary]

Ele não quer adiar, quer é que seja antes de um possivel descalabro na Champions e não dar hipótese de os outros prepararem as candidaturas!

[@duisaac1132]

@@Miguel_Proud_Binary quando foram os tais outros a pedirem que fosse o mais rápido possível lol 2 meses não é rápido

[@tiagooliveira6828]

Thank you for sharing the huge problem that has been damaging my club’s ambitions and portuguese football in general. Though I am confident for this season, the long term future at Benfica doesn’t look bright at all. Great video as always.

[@abdosherif5477]

Atleast you are in the champions league

[@diogosousa362]

@@abdosherif5477 yeah but I'd rather not play in the champions league if that meant Jesus got sacked, since he seems to refuse to play any academy players apart from Gonçalo Ramos

[@ganggang9508]

Juntos vamos mudar isto! O BENFICA É MAIOR QUE PORTUGAL! O FUTURO DO BENFICA É DE SUCESSO!

[@Skiller96512]

@@ganggang9508 "maior que Portugal" Fds, ser benfiquista deve mesmo ser uma doença

[@tweaksilva7253]

@@ganggang9508 bebe água que o vinho de pacote está a fazer-te mal!

[@ricardomargera]

Just a reminder... Bernardo Silva never actually played for Benfica's first team, thanks to Jorge Jesus's obvious bad eye for youth talent

[@AlexSilva1976]

Acho que jogou, pelo menos, um jogo da Taça contra o Cinfães. E terá feito uns minutos em mais uma ou duas partidas da Taça ou Taça da Liga. Posso estar enganado...

[@ricardomargera]

@@AlexSilva1976 Jogos amadores não contam. Sejamos intelectualmente honestos, meu caro. O Cinfães é equipa de distritais, e a Taça da Liga tem o mesmo valor que sei lá, ganhar a segunda divisão russa.

[@marcopinto3297]

From a Benfica suporter congratulations on the vídeo

[@brunoliz]

Hey mate! Since this video is so recent, you should update it with the recent events made by Rui Costa. Yesterday (1st of September) the all board has resigned and scheduled an election for October 9th of the present year. It is also to refer that it is being yet to decide if the election will go through via electronic votes or paper. (btw: the Footlab is from one of Rui Costa's sons and another one or two unknown business associates. Also worth mention that due to the situation you described, his son has been life threatened, which is a shame to say at least.) As a Benfica supporter all I can do is to thank you for the video and congratulate you for the great work! Cheers!

[@arielayo]

Another enthralling, educative and jam packed video Alfie! Thanks for all the great content, especially today as it is my birthday!

[@yusufkassim8236]

Day 1: The rise and fall of gretna fc

[@danielkarmy4893]

Deranged, hermitic multi-millionaire fan pours fortunes into the club, making players offers they can't refuse to play in the Scottish third division, the club magically rise through the leagues in no time at all, almost winning the cup in the process - owner gets ill, has to retire and/or can't fund the club any more, nobody else is interested, club is wound up. Owner drowns in his own garden pond, owner's dead, club's dead, everyone's dead. The end. I mean, in all seriousness, what he did was just what most of us did on FIFA in career mode, but in real life...

[@yusufkassim8236]

@@danielkarmy4893 ah well thank you for all of that 😂

[@danielkarmy4893]

@@yusufkassim8236 Haha, sorry for spoiling it for you - I thought you already knew!

[@toasted_heretic]

Yet another excellent video. Thank you so much.

[@tomasrodrigues1730]

Once you know how politics works in Portugal , this is not that surprising honestly. I mean ou PM was in benfica's president comission of honor lmao

[@bananaempijama]

Also Lisbon's mayor

[@jonaspistolas654]

Yup and that PM ia 10 Times minimun more corrupt!

[@HelloHeLL1000]

It's true, in a country with 10 million, 6 million belong to Benfica, so the probability to have a prime minister who supports Benfica is high.

[@nunoferreira750]

Pois o problema era o Costa e o Medina estarem na lista de honra do Benfica mas o porto ter ter os presidentes da camara de Gaia e do Porto na lista e na direção já não existe conflito. O sporting ter vários juízes e magistrados na lista de honra tb não tem problema. Complexos de inferioridade e parolices. Se não fosse o Benfica não existias

[@tomasrodrigues1730]

@@nunoferreira750 lol mas achas que se os outros fazem é válido ? Naturalmente que não. É um problema estrutural do nosso sistema político e não é aceitável, seja qual for a cor. E estamos mesmo a comparar um PM com um presidente de câmara e o cargo de juíz? É que o poder de um PM está bem, mas bem acima do de qualquer um dos outros que mencionaste. Um PM tem influência nos orçamentos, pode despedir ministros e secretários de estado. Um PM é o líder do parlamento, que caso não saibas, é a sede do poder legislativo. É uma comparação completamente estúpida . Se não fosse o Benfica, a minha vida continuava. O meu clube está na 2a divisão e eu não vivo de corruptos. Entendo claro, que há quem prefira por as cores do clube à frente da qualidade do regime democrático

[@aasemahsan]

Caesar apparently granted municipium to Lisbon afer 31 years of his death. Jokes aside, great video as usual.

[@1607Adi_Manz]

another rome leader with same name

[@mrsd8401]

So what? He had a big to-do list. Go there, conquer them... ad infinitum 😛 🙂

[@aasemahsan]

@@1607Adi_Manz I wasn't aware of that, actually. Can you say a bit more about the particular Caesar you're referring to?

[@Tomas1999Benfica]

@@1607Adi_Manz all of them had ceaser in their name after they become the leader of the Roman empire/republic

[@AlLuiPigus]

There was only one Julius Caesar. Who was never an emperor anyway. While the following emperors held the of Caesar, nobody refers to them now coloquially as Caesar. Every one has his own name in order not to confuse one with another.

[@korekazuki]

Who's here after they beat Barca 3-0?

[@pedroo.marquees]

thank you for this video alfie, from a benfica fan

[@tombrierley5967]

I'd love you to do an Oldham one of these as we've gone from the premier league down to the worst team in the efl and owners that are putting the club into the ground

[@leehenry5764]

The town's a labour shithole aswell.

[@snoopdiss2300]

@@leehenry5764 ok

[@leehenry5764]

@@snoopdiss2300 It is mate I live there

[@jimbob-robob]

@@leehenry5764 if the Tories and soft Tories like Blair won't fund things properly how do you expect Labour to fix things locally when they aren't in power nationally? And what has that got to do with football, football being a capitalist Tory friendly enterprise that only really cares about 6 teams in the EPL...just like it only really cares about London and the south... Are you another one that's taken the Sun, Mail, Express BBC etc lies to heart to be duped into voting against your own interests??

[@gatosapotomate1372]

My man Alfie naming Gaddafi revolutionary and not dictator... He knows the deal... 😎👌

[@kingshuksaha9204]

What an amazing and informative video Alfie!

[@pytergomes6321]

About the good and bad of S.A.D yuo should do a video on belenenses fc and belenenses sad. They used to be ine club but they split and now belenenses fc is playing in nationals while B sad is playing the 1st division of portugal.

[@oliverfurnival6030]

Alfie can you do a video on the rise, fall and rise again of Brighton, really interesting story that you'd like researching

[@piglo7]

Really good and well explained Alfie! That’s really what most of Benfica “sócios” think about the club right now Well done 👏👏

[@Chillaxed1991]

Another quality video keep up the good work Alfie

[@deeznoots6241]

Portugal always provides footballing drama.

[@elementofficial07]

Don't forget about the best player of all time 😉

[@jamesMdlk]

you could do a very good one of these about dundalk fc in ireland. two europa league group stages in the past 5 years, last season being in arsenals group, but now currently we are 9th out of 10 teams over halfway into the league of ireland season despite having one of the top two budgets in the league. you can find lots of information from me, and i would recommend getting in touch with a local journalist james rogers and some of his very detailed articles. would be a really good video alfie 👍

[@niekmulderij1524]

Please Alfie Dutch side Feyenoord needs an apperance in this series.. this season thinks finally look a little brighter again, but since the UEFA Cup victory in 2002, Feyenoord has been mostly in crisis (apart from the incidental title in 2017)

[@joaquimmenezes6207]

Finally this gets some attention outside of Portugal

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 183) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@yusufkassim8236]

I admire your dedication

[@domtoretto4491]

Get a life dude

[@tobytube9832]

There are 2 types of people 😂

[@yannick245]

Klinsmann at Tottenham?

[@marcuspoosz2190]

sad.

[@TiagoFerreira-zp9gi]

Great analysis. Just a quick note, Jorge Mattamouros wasn't/isn't a board member.

[@guibredacalixto9086]

nao foi ele que denunciou o vieira. eu sou portista nao sei.

[@pedrojpinto]

To be more precise, basically no one knew who he was until he showed up on TV saying he had "compelling evidence" and then proceeding to list a set of allegations that were contained in the Public Procurer's list of elements under investigation, divulged publicly I believe a couple of years prior.

[@flaviolucas5107]

Mattamourros é dos nomes mais épicos de sempre. Parece uma alcunha quando Portugal andava a reconquistar o Algarve

[@afonsoramos_10]

Thanks Alfie you have made a better work than all of our portuguese social media

[@vader745]

media or social media? big difference

[@ivaneurope]

Is it a mere coincidence that HITC Sevens released a video about issues regarding one of the biggest clubs in Portugal right after the Portuguese Primera Liga (a.k.a. Liga NOS) overtook the French Ligue 1 in the League coefficient standings (subject to change)?

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@joelthorpe4170]

Day 1 - Middlesbrough's 05/06 UEFA Cup final squad, Where are they now?

[@yannick245]

Retired, mostly...

[@mumulusul]

Forța Steaua 🔴🔵

[@joelthorpe4170]

@@yannick245 good point. Maybe do a video on what happened to the squad after the game. McClaren went to England, Southgate became manager and most of the squad was gone within 12 months.

[@yesyes5515]

Maccarone actually had an ok career after that, mostly playing for empoli and other smaller italian teams for the rest of his career and being a good striker in the serie a in his last years of football.

[@marcelofigueiredo9816]

Very good research work! I am a Portuguese Benfica fan and your are spot on the information. Congratulations.

[@ZacheryAlgaze]

I love these videos and its crazy to hear these kind of stories with large well known clubs

[@psychospin1]

Just don't go believing in everything that is said..

[@crisscrosscruz2034]

Ur pronunciation and knowledge of Portuguese words is pretty good for a non Portuguese speaker Great VID BTW

[@riccardodiluca6862]

Sporting Lisbao Benfica. Pretty good

[@ajday19891989]

Loving the videos fella! Will you be doing a video about the villa under Randy Lerner or Dr Tony Xia?

[@Marega-oi1hs]

Did you know that Vale e Azevedo was accused and found guilty of robbing Benfica on a player transfer... from Alverca. We literally put the man who helped robbing Benfica on the "throne"

[@joaquimmenezes6207]

This man is one of the main reasons for millions of Portuguese people to loose most of their savings in novo banco.

[@HelloHeLL1000]

And Sporting Lisbon also contributed with a debt of 97 million euros...

[@stevebrent2500]

Quick hit on Eddie Howe at the end was brilliant!

[@pedrocavaco3376]

Thank you for this analysis We are going through hard times, and there have to be huge structural changes to get us out of this mediocrity. We are a club with huge potential and yet we are being robbed of our success because of some people using our club for personal benefits. Let's hope we have clean and fair elections before the end of the year.

[@dlpereira]

Very True, similar to what is happening at Maritimo...

[@ricardomargera]

The best thing your club can do is to get rid of the system that Vieira has set up. From the board of directors to the fucking coach, you need to get rid of that cancer. As a Sporting associate, I actually want a strong Benfica.

[@bernardosantos217]

I think you are going to go through the same problems that sporting went through

[@valgimorais602]

@@dlpereira wash well your mouth you dont know what are you talking shhhhhhhhh shhhhhhhh

[@dlpereira]

@@valgimorais602 lol have you seen our grass???

[@sithmaster1119]

The thumbnail is misleading, the 100 million spent have nothing to do with the corruption scandal. Which exists, of course.

[@c-low910]

👏 👏 thats what I'm talking about#!! Show one of the best clubs of all time some love!! Well done!!

[@shipu302]

Unfortunately I'm not too confident about the outcome of this case will change much. Like you briefly mentioned in the video, portuguese football has had this corruption cloud looming over its head for many many years and people keep getting away with it. The "Apito Dourado" case is the perfect example of this. It's a depressing state of affairs.

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@t19040]

Aito Dourado and this are completely dfferent things. Apito Dourado was a club corrupting referees, this is a president stealing from the club.

[@dedasalmeida9047]

@@t19040 it's still corruption no matter how you see it

[@t19040]

@@dedasalmeida9047 One benefits the club, the other does the exact opposite. Not comparable.

[@dedasalmeida9047]

@@t19040 not comparing both of them, I'm just saying it's still corruption, there's no transparency and too many shady practices ...

[@antwan37]

Another curious detail about Vieira is his apparent "proximity" to several coca deals over the years. Some 20+ years ago, I believe his brother did some jail time for trafficking the stuff, then, a few years back, the cops found a few kilos in some storage room inside Benfica's stadium, this time, some janitor worker at the club took the wrap and went to jail, then more recently just a few months back, a private plane, that was going to bring player Lucas Verissimo from Brasil, along with some Benfica people and the president of Boavista FC, was raided by brasilian cops before take off and some 200kg of the stuff were found inside. So...is it all an unfortunate set of coincidences or...

[@davout6817]

Hello, video idea: The Rise of Venezia FC. You mentioned them briefly in the Palermo video but after 20 years they have re-achieved Serie A. (Albeit, they are not doing so hot right now).

[@dedasalmeida9047]

Dude, thanks for this video, I'm surprised for scope and the research you done here even myself there were things I didn't know about Vieras life and his convictions. And yes Alfie in Lisbon the majority of the population speaks some kind of English.

[@MarcLesan]

What On Earth Is Going On At Arsenal: Episode 2

[@chriswoodtoarsenal]

Day 27: where would a team of Alfie Potts Harmer lookalikes finish in the premier league?

[@muflihahmed4753]

I think he answered this in a Q&A already

[@zerofox641]

Top 4 obviously

[@whrlds]

He has already talked about that

[@nunoluz1828]

You channel it’s great and it’s my favourite channel by far but Eusébio only won 1 champions league. He only came to Benfica in the middle of 60-61 and never played until 61-62.

[@balham5606]

I didn’t know that, good video Alfie

[@chrisadlc1]

Great video once again Alfie.. is there any way some time in the near future we can get a video on the Busby Babes! More people should know what a young talented multi League winning team that was killed in the accident having been the 1st English team to ignore the FA and play in the European Cup reaching the semis in the two seasons they played in the EC and there’s 21 year old Duncan Edwards, who Sir Bobby Charlton (who’s considered to be England’s greatest player) said Duncan was a far better player. If that accident didn’t happen I’m sure Real wouldn’t have won 5 in a row

[@gibbzsilver321]

Jeez dude, never seen so many advert breaks! Good content but never seen so many ads!

[@TupacalypseB]

Not gonna lie, i was worried when i suggested this video a while ago, i'm sure it can't be easy to go through mostly portuguese written articles and news and make a 30 minute video out of it with every significant detail in it but this was superb!

[@itzmanny4822]

Hitc sevens teaching me more than school

[@JPGamerX]

You're a bit late to the party, let me tell you, it was terrible what happened to us, but we are not completely in a crisis right now. Me, as a Benfica fan, I can say with confidence that we, at this moment, are beginning to leave this state of affairs, and moving in to something way more positive. The futre is bright.

[@hugojoao1071]

Que inocente

[@andrepinto3986]

Gira o que andas a fumar

[@PVit]

the future is bright behind bars.

[@JPGamerX]

@@andrepinto3986 deves ou ser lagarto ou croquete, não vale a pena

[@JPGamerX]

@@hugojoao1071 que argumento

[@joaoserra3714]

Here after the 3-0 win against Barça. lol

[@newguy6491]

I was literally thinking to myself whilst taking a shxt this morning.didnt even get a chance to wash my hands .😢 Great notification😊

[@vestallstar]

You need to make a video like this on Chievo Verona. Got relegated from Serie A as late as 2019 and now they are dissolved. What a quick and tragic downfall.

[@Saintj685]

I fall asleep to ur videos when I’m tryna sleep, then re watch it in the mornings

[@power279]

Bartomeou have found his best challengers.

[@TsoCosta]

Bartomeu is a child compared to Vieira mate trust me

[@lamelrose7699]

@@TsoCosta ha speak for yourself bartomeou gave us a debt of about 1.5 billion and high wages and overpaying players.....you guys made money and have a minutes debt compared to this

[@hugorodrigues6928]

Porto finances are worst

[@vincent2699]

Genius work here. Good job mate!

[@LeeRenthlei]

Humble request: 7 greatest one season wonders.

[@starganstar2016]

As a Benfica fan, I wish I knew 😭😭

[@johnwhittaker311]

Please can the next one of these be about Wigan. Not what’s going on now, but what went on the last 18 months

[@stevenlawson5233]

Great video Would love a rangers video

[@maxwellgarner2936]

Adrian at RabonaTV would be so proud! He did a long video like this too. You guys should collab

[@iaintaylor5116]

The videos and comments are full of great fm saves!

[@ig38428]

Damn. I know you don't speak Portuguese but saying "Hei dosh trangoz" is something else. You can say enunciate the R's (softly but that's ok) and the F's as you do in English. They don't bite. :)

[@pedluc2010]

Regading Continuity Costa, you can have Costa Continuidade in Portuguese or, even better, Costinuidade!

[@nhlanhlazwane9465]

Dear Alfie. Please also do a video about the buyout clauses especially at Barcelona F.C, is it fair play?

[@CCNYMacGuy]

Thanks!

[@HITCSevens]

Thanks Nick!

[@CCNYMacGuy]

@@HITCSevensOf course! I don't usually do Patreons and the like, but your documentaries are some of the best things on here so I'm glad to be able to help out in some small way.

[@BrunoSantos-li7jz]

Good video, but benfica s problems are already know for quite some time. I would rather have seen a video about Belenenses and Belenenses SAD or about Vitória Futebol Clube...

[@shipu302]

Yeah, videos about those two would be great.

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@craigherbert272]

@@shipu302 ioooo

[@suzannelooms7658]

I didn't know about the Palace coup. It would be good to have an overview of Premier League clubs & how much of them is owned by overseas interests.

[@danieljulio21]

football and corruption, Portugal in a nutshell

[@ruffdrafter]

These vids are such high quality that the line about patreon really makes me think Alfie could be better off running his own channel.

[@natsudama4604]

i love how you said every portuguese word right (:

[@J_daczkowski]

Would love for you talk about the dynamic on why Rep. of Ireland football fans follow English and Scottish clubs and their local League of Ireland clubs. A hot take of such on why there’s little support both from fans and the government for clubs. ☘️

[@migueld2166]

Good that some people are addressing this matter outside of portugal this guy as been stealing from our club in the last 10 years from our huge transfers that could send us to grow a strong team with europe presence

[@duncanmelville2137]

Excellent video, what about exploring FC Porto’s apito durado?

[@pilhi]

'Caso dos Emails' , Caso e-Toupeira , Operação Lex , Caso dos Vouchers , Lavagem de dinheiro , Mala Ciao ......

[@duncanmelville2137]

@@pilhi all organised by the Porto mafia especially sr Francisco Marques

[@cdeknight00]

"Rui Costa da continuidade". That's the correct way to say it in Portuguese, Alfie. Cheers mate!

[@Real_SkyRipper]

"you don't speak English in Lisbon do you?" mate we all speak English in Portugal, if anything Portugal might be the most bilingual Country in Europe, we understand English and Spanish for sure, can't obviously talk for my entire Country but for the big majority i think i can.

[@1607Adi_Manz]

you all speak brazil

[@Notverysupercoach]

@@1607Adi_Manz ?

[@manuelfeteira6113]

Actually Portugal is one of the countries in Europe where you're least likely to find someone that is bilingual

[@sebastiaocamarinhas194]

maybe in Lisboa and the bigger cities, I assure you that in places Minho and Trás-dos-Montes (the "middle of nowhere") no one speaks English haha

[@Real_SkyRipper]

@@sebastiaocamarinhas194 i'm from Valença do Minho, and literally everyone here speaks English and Spanish, could be because it's a border town tho.

[@ew68gaming34]

Video concept: Mediterranean XI and squad with one player from every country required

[@Melgacius]

A Benfica fan agreeing here. Tks for the video.

[@KR-tw2fc]

In Lisbon we speak English better than some English cities :=)

[@ethandalton6480]

I've not been to Lisbon but I can believe that

[@AndreRQL]

Portuguese in general do

[@danielforrest2952]

Facts

[@nmmp17]

We do speak English in Lisbon/Portugal, just not as a primary language lol Great video in general

[@thepolticalone961]

You should speak to Rabona TV

[@yannick245]

Why?

[@newguy6491]

@@yannick245 he's a Benfica fan and his contant is super similar to Alfie's

[@yannick245]

@@newguy6491 Alright! I know that they have similar content. But I prefer Alfie...

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@peixemundial]

what on earth is going on at santos, one of the most prolific clubs in brazil’s top flight, one of few to never be relegated, and one most known for their elite academy has collapsed. the former president made a statement saying this is the weakest academy they’ve had in his career and we consistently send players to europe but never see the profits due to avid corruption and malpractices; most notably the Neymar deal

[@beaniesatthebeach8457]

I was actually thinking about this a few days ago

[@aaronagnew3443]

Alfie could you do a where are they now video of the Manchester United starting IX and subs for their opening game of the 2003/04 season against Bolton, where a certain Portuguese teenager made his debut? Thanks

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Except for the great man himself, retired mostly. Although a video on how their careers progressed would be good.

[@lucaslonchampt613]

3:12 I know this is not important, but I feel like I have to point out that this is Vercingetorix, who is a Gaul, and that Julius Cesar was dead by 13 BC

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Vercingetorix was an absolute boss level enemy to Julius Caesar.

[@Sirsirsir1234]

And Athens and Rome are probably older capital cities...

[@willcraig937]

40 Challenger 2's would be one hell of a defence to breakdown.

[@fhffvgju6299]

4:35 wow given that Portugal has less than 10 million people that's incredible. I guess that means the reason so few people go to matches here in Bulgaria is because the matches suck.

[@rozafisheikh7968]

Is it cos Ludogorets win everything?

[@fhffvgju6299]

@@rozafisheikh7968 no. The quality of football is very low.

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*CURSED OF BELA GUTTMANN*

[@feixas6961]

@@1607Adi_Manz stop spamming that shit. It's not even written correctly

[@Tomas1999Benfica]

I mean it's just benfica doe. Sporting and Porto put like 30k regularly and the others if they put 1k its good, besides the game against the big three

[@dabibibibibi455]

M8, last time I heard a football video essayist mention Gaddafi they called him a "dictator". I'm glad at least some people know a bit about the man.

[@Gabriel-er1fo]

Please don't ever say "Sporting Lisboa e Benfica" again

[@1607Adi_Manz]

*BELA GUTTMANN!!*

[@David-qq9bk]

ouvir isso doeu

[@Sephiroth25TC]

Vieira's also suspected of being involved in drug trafficking schemes, 1st with the "tire" company, and more recently, using player transfers and using Benfica's installations for the purpose. Allegedly