Ticket Ban Keeps Benfica Fans from Turin After Flare Incident, €20k Fine

Next month in Turin, the familiar roar of Benfica fans will be replaced by an uneasy hush as UEFA’s disciplinary arm bars the club from selling any tickets for its Champions League trip to Juventus. Amid a broader crackdown on stadium pyrotechnics, this sanction underscores the high stakes for Portuguese supporters and the club’s leadership.

Quick Take

• Matchday Impact: No away tickets available for Benfica’s January 21 fixture at Juventus Stadium.

• Financial Penalty: A €20,000 fine follows the flare incident against Ajax in Amsterdam.

• Suspended Ban: Two-year probation means any new pyrotechnic breach could trigger further restrictions.

• Legal Framework: Portuguese law now criminalizes indoor use of flares with penalties up to five years.

• Collective Effort: A multi-club task force in Lisbon aims to eliminate stadium fireworks by 2026.

Missing Voices in Turin

With no organized away support, the Benfica squad will step onto Italian soil without its characteristic red backing. For many adeptos, the match represented more than football—it was a cultural pilgrimage. Bars across Lisbon and Porto, accustomed to screening European nights, now brace for broadcasts overshadowed by silence from the terraces. The absence of chanting bodies could alter the players’ mentality, highlighting how fan presence drives on-pitch momentum.

Inside UEFA’s Ruling

The decision stems from the November clash in Amsterdam, where a group of Benfica followers ignited several flares in the Johan Cruyff Arena. Under Article 16 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations, clubs are held strictly liable for supporter misconduct. Alongside the ticket ban, the governing body imposed a €20,000 fine, citing “serious misconduct.” The two-year suspended match ban hangs over Benfica’s head, ready to snap into action upon any repeat.

A Suspended Shadow

This is far from the first warning. Earlier this season, Benfica lost its away allocation for a qualifier against Nice, then faced fresh sanctions after fans’ behavior at Camp Nou. Now, a single flare—at home or abroad—could see certain sectors closed at Estádio da Luz or additional away bans. That looming threat has amplified discussions among club directors about risk management and the club’s global reputation.

Domestic Fight Against Flares

Portugal’s authorities have not stood idle. Since January 2023, the possession and ignition of pyrotechnics in sports venues have been criminal offenses, with potential jail terms up to five years. The PSP (Police of Public Security) conducts matchday sweeps, while a coalition of Benfica, Sporting, Porto, Braga and Vitória de Guimarães works with the APCVD to educate supporters. Liga Portugal introduced stricter fan-behavior rules in 2024, aiming to cut flare-related incidents from 65% of all stadium fines to near zero by 2027.

Benfica’s Response

In a recent statement, the club urged exemplary conduct and pledged to enhance stewarding and supporter liaison efforts. Internally, Benfica has increased bag checks, deployed additional messaging on social media, and held workshops with fan groups to stress the collective cost of individual actions. The creation of a dedicated task force in Lisbon reflects a shift: clubs recognize they must share responsibility for crowd safety.

Looking Ahead

As January approaches, all eyes will be on Benfica’s next steps. Coach Roger Schmidt must prepare his squad for a mostly neutral atmosphere at Juventus Stadium, leaning on tactical resiliency rather than vocal support. Meanwhile, supporters at home face heightened screenings at Luz gates, where any sign of contraband pyrotechnics risks reigniting UEFA’s wrath. If the terraces remain flare-free through the two-year probation, Benfica will reclaim full away privileges—yet the margin for error has never been smaller.