• Leixões trip plus sub sent off, coach sent to stands
• Sporting Lisbon B finish 1-1 draw with nine men

The Portuguese second division club Leixões lodged a protest after six players were shown the red card and a coach was sent to the stands during their 1-1 draw at Sporting Lisbon B on Wednesday.

Sporting had Mauro Riquicho sent off after giving away a penalty, converted by Leixões, in the 12th minute, while the Leixões goalkeeper Chastre was dismissed, also after conceding a penalty, just before the break.

He was immediately followed by his team-mate Moreira, ordered from the substitutes’ bench for protesting.

The second half featured reds for Sporting’s Nuno Reis and the Leixões pair Anderson Grafite and Cadinha as well as their coach, João Esteves, who was dismissed for his protests.

“Helder Malheiro’s refereeing jeopardised the work of the Leixões professionals,” said the club in a statement, adding it had asked the Portuguese Football Federation for an emergency meeting of the refereeing committee.

“There was no pitched battle as might be thought from the total of 16 cards shown to the two teams.”

• Sporting Lisbon
• European club football

theguardian.com