Benfica demands stadium closure after clásico incidents as FPF issues €26,900 in fines to FC Porto
The fallout from last Sunday's clásico between FC Porto and Benfica has reached the offices of the Portuguese Football Federation's Disciplinary Council, with Benfica formally requesting the closure of Estádio do Dragão and the disciplinary body already issuing €36,463 in combined fines for pyrotechnics and object-throwing.
What the Disciplinary Council has already decided
The FPF's Disciplinary Council published its ruling on Thursday, imposing €26,903 in fines on FC Porto across three infractions: €15,300 for the entry and use of pyrotechnic devices, €10,200 for the throwing of objects, and €1,403 for offensive chants. Benfica received a €9,560 fine for pyrotechnic use by their supporters.
The official report details that at minute 38, Benfica delegate Ricardo Sérgio Rocha Azevedo was struck by "a piece of hard bread, wrapped in paper" while standing near the VAR booth preparing a substitution. At minutes 48, 51, 55, and 73, Porto supporters in the Bancada Central Poente threw plastic cups, plastic bottles, and plastic rods from the pre-match display toward the Benfica bench. None of the objects hit anyone or interrupted play.
What Benfica is still demanding
Beyond the fines already issued, Benfica's management filed a formal complaint requesting heavier sanctions. The club wants the Disciplinary Council to close Estádio do Dragão, punish elements of Porto's bench staff — including alleged offensive gestures by a staff member identified as the kitman — and sanction player Gabri Veiga for allegedly throwing a bottle toward the technical area.
The complaint also cites provocative music played over the stadium speakers after the match, including the song "Doidas andam as galinhas," and contests the legality of images captured of Benfica's bench and broadcast on Porto Canal. The Disciplinary Council is still reviewing the formal complaint, with a decision expected in coming days.
Precedent for stadium closures
The FPF has closed stadium sections before. In October 2025, Sporting CP received a one-match partial closure of a north stand sector following incidents that broke glass and injured supporters during a clásico against Porto.
Ronaldo speaks ahead of Nations League debut
Speaking before Portugal's Nations League match against Wales — Jorge Jesus's first as national coach — Cristiano Ronaldo addressed critics and his future. Now on 979 career goals, Ronaldo said reaching 1,000 would be "the culmination of a beautiful story" and that he would prefer to score it for Portugal.
On speculation about Euro 2028, Ronaldo avoided firm commitments: "When I feel I'm not doing anything here, I'll grab my bag and leave." He called Jesus "the perfect choice" for the national team.
Varandas values Champions League revenue
Sporting president Frederico Varandas told reporters he would prefer reaching the Champions League quarter-finals to winning any domestic cup, citing €80M in European revenue as more valuable to the club than silverware from the Taça de Portugal.
Portugal hosts Wales at Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday evening, with kickoff at 19:45.
