Lisbon fans will not be able to travel to the Allianz Riviera on August 5 to support their team in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round against OGC Nice.
UEFA has made its decision. Benfica Lisbon has been sanctioned following incidents that occurred on March 11 at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, during the second leg of the round of 16 on the field of FC Barcelona (3-1, 0-1 in the first leg). Result: a travel ban to the Allianz Riviera in Nice on August 5.
This sanction was pronounced in April by UEFA’s disciplinary committee. The excessive behavior of Portuguese supporters is being criticized: flares, clashes with law enforcement outside the stadium…
Benfica urges its supporters to set an example
The sale of tickets for the Eagles’ next European match has therefore been formally prohibited. Returning to the international stage in August, the Portuguese will have to cope without their fans.
In response, the club’s management issued a statement this Tuesday warning them: “the passion that drives us must always be accompanied by behaviors that honor the Club, protect its interests, and contribute to ensuring that nothing and no one limits the unconditional support that characterizes Benfiquistas worldwide.”
Benfica also faces a two-year suspended sentence, during which the club risks another ban on selling tickets for its away matches.
