Franchise Notes: Benfica Claims Innocence After Corruption Charge

Portuguese side Benfica, which was "charged with corruption" by Portuguese prosecutors earlier this week, labeled the allegations "groundless" and vowed to prove its innocence. The club is "accused by prosecutors of prying into judiciary records." If convicted in court, Portugal's penal code states it "could be suspended from competition from between six months to three years." The team could also "lose public subsidies and face other sanctions" (REUTERS, 9/6).

National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors had an "average home crowd of more than 17,000 this year," but CEO Cameron George "believes the club can do better." He said that the "cost of being a Warriors member will halve" in '19 as the club pushes for more sellout crowds. The club announced all reserved seat memberships for the '19 season will be reduced to NZ$199 ($131), down from NZ$400 ($264) (STUFF, 9/6).