Match takes place between Sporting and FC Porto following disturbances by spectators
In a shocking turn of events during the Classic match between FC Porto and Sporting at the José Alvalade Stadium on Saturday night, at least seventeen people were injured when glass shards fell onto the Sporting stand.
The incident occurred immediately after Porto's first goal, scored by Dutch forward Luuk de Jong in the 61st minute. The broken windows' shards fell onto the A15 north stand, located on the first floor of the stadium, in sector B19, reserved for opposing team fans.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but some people left the stadium and called 112. The Public Security Police is currently reviewing surveillance footage from the incident to identify the culprits responsible.
The interrogations against FC Porto fans as part of the disciplinary proceedings at the Portuguese Football Federation's Disciplinary Council were opened on March 22, 2023. Authorities are also investigating four fans who attempted to enter with illegal tickets, four fans who were removed for excessive alcohol consumption, and five people who were identified for using pyrotechnics.
Two arrests were made: one before the game for disobedience and another at the end for illegal access to the sports facility. It's worth noting that no one has been identified yet due to the incident.
Despite the chaos, FC Porto managed to secure a 1-2 victory with goals from Luuk de Jong and William Gomes. Nehuen Pérez's own goal briefly gave Sporting hope, but it was not enough.
All injured individuals have minor injuries and were treated at the scene or transported to Santa Maria Hospital. In the video shared on social media, Porto fans are seen returning to their seats after passing a barrier at the scene.
The Sporting Club will proceed with disciplinary action against FC Porto at the Portuguese Football Federation's Disciplinary Council. The club has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining order and safety at sports events. We hope for a peaceful and incident-free future for all football fans in Portugal.
