A policeman was injured after clashes between Benfica fans chanting, “No Name Boys”, and the Public Security Police (PSP) after the Reds’ match against Famalicao. According to the PSP’s Lisbon city leadership, the incidents occurred near Luz around midnight on March 4, when the Reds cheerleading squad, which was celebrating its birthday, began firing pyrotechnics. The police decided to intervene, but were met with bottles and stones. As a result of these incidents, a police officer was injured and two non-police vehicles were damaged. The memo stated that “in light of unlawful acts and violent conduct against the police, a dispersal operation was carried out using force and 2 least-lethal munitions were fired.”The full statement:
The Lisbon Public Security Police Command, through the 3rd Division, carried out, on March 3, the security operation for the Sport Lisbon e Benfica and Futebol Clube de Famalicao match, which highlighted the following:
1. Football teams and fans entered and exited the Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica in safe conditions without incident.
2. During the game, behaviors were recorded that led to 3 administrative offenses being raised, for the use of pyrotechnics and one for improper conduct, and even the fall of a fan who needed to receive medical treatment.
3. After the end of the match, most of the fans left the stadium for their destinations, and a few hundred fans belonging to “No Name Boys” stayed in the vicinity;
4. Shortly after 00:00 on March 4, in celebration of that group’s birthday, allegedly fans, who occupied the public road, began exploding pyrotechnics.
5. These behaviors in violation of road traffic regulations and the use of fireworks have begun to endanger drivers and pedestrians who are still moving around in that area.
6 – The policemen who were in the ranks of the police and who were watching these supporters approached to deter and stop this behavior, and in the face of this movement they threw stones and bottles.
7 – Throwing objects causing damage to two non-police vehicles and injuring a policeman.
8. In light of the unlawful acts and violent conduct against the police, a dispersal operation was carried out using force and 2 least-lethal munitions were fired.
9. After the intervention of the PSP, public order has been restored and many pyrotechnics have been collected.
10. PSP calls on supporters to comply with the lawful and legitimate orders of the police so that the safety of all participants in sporting events is ensured and to refrain from aggressive and violent behaviour, against which PSP will not hesitate to take a deterrent and firm stand.
