Benfica lodged a formal complaint with UEFA after Valverde allegedly punched Samuel Dahl during the 82nd minute of their 2–1 loss in Lisbon. The club claims the move was a clear act of violent misconduct that should have warranted a red card, but the incident was not reviewed by VAR.
The complaint comes amid a tense rivalry, following earlier incidents involving racist abuse and post‑match criticism. While the outcome of the appeal is uncertain, it could affect Valverde’s eligibility for the second leg and may prompt scrutiny of refereeing decisions.