Police classify Lisbon derbies on Tuesday and Saturday as high risk

The Public Security Police (PSP) considered this Monday a high risk for the derbies between Benfica and Sporting, on Tuesday, for the second leg of the semi-finals of the Portuguese Football Cup, and Saturday, for the 28th. round of the First League.

“These games are considered high risk and the stadiums are expected to be filled to capacity. [da Luz, na terça-feira, e José Alvalade, no sábado]said intendant Isaac Figueira de Chaves, in a press conference held at the PSP Metropolitan Command of Lisbon.

Figueira de Chaves guaranteed the readiness of the police forces for the confluence of fans of the ‘big three’ at the Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, on Saturday, despite the I League derby being scheduled for ‘green and white’ terrain. On that day, the ‘red’ venue will host a basketball derby, at 3pm, and the handball derby between Benfica and FC Porto, at 5pm, before the ‘big’ game of the football championship.

In between, at 4pm, Benfica fans are scheduled to begin their walk to the José Alvalade Stadium, the stage for the derby on the 28th round of the I League, at 8:30pm. “The police have planned an operation that takes several variables into account. Therefore, given this situation, appropriate policing will be carried out”, assured the intendant.

About Benfica’s reception to Sporting, for the second leg of the Cup semi-finals, scheduled for Tuesday, at 8:45 pm, in a match in which the Lions arrive with a 2-1 lead achieved at home, Figueira de Chaves was confident. The official recalled the policing of the last derby, on February 29, then played on a Thursday, classifying it as successful and without major incidents. “The procedure will be replicated, as there is a difference between being a game during the week or on the weekend”, he acknowledged.

PSP asks fans to arrive at the stadium in advance

PSP also asked fans to arrive at the stadium in advance, preferably by public transport, highlighting that the doors to Estádio da Luz will open at 6:45 pm (two hours before kickoff).

The ‘Leonine’ fans have a meeting scheduled at 4 pm, next to the José Alvalade Stadium, to begin the march towards the meeting stage, under escort.

Regarding the more than 420 fans who were banned from entering sports venues in 2023, Figueira de Chaves validated the control of entrances. “We have a list, we know who the fans are who have these measures and they will be prevented from entering the stadium or even approaching them. Ticket requests, upon entry, are seen and those people who have this type of measure are caught, who are known to the police and, if they are approached nearby, they are also asked not to enter the stadium”, he explained.

Sporting, leader of the I Liga, and Benfica, champion and runner-up by one point, with one more game played, face each other on Tuesday, at the Estádio da Luz, for the Cup, and, four days later, at the Estádio José Alvalade, for the championship.