Four people detained for rioting before the release of Real Sociedad Benfica

Four people arrested for riots outside the Arena Reale before the Champions League match between Real Sociedad and Benfica (3:1) were released this Thursday after a hearing in a court in San Sebastian.

The detainees, aged 21, 26, 32 and 42, spent the night in a police station and were taken to court, which ordered their release, although authorities did not say whether the judge imposed any preventive measures on them.

Four fans, two of whom were assigned to Benfica, according to Real Sociedad president Joquin Aperribay, were detained before the game after serious incidents and clashes between members of both clubs were reported.

In addition to these arrests, authorities are identifying Portuguese fans who lit fires at Anoeta Stadium and threw them at the Real Sociedad fans’ stands.

According to local authorities, the disturbance occurred shortly before 17:45 in Lisbon, the kick-off time of the Champions League Group D fourth round match, resulting in four people being arrested.

According to authorities, the altercation resulted in the throwing of chairs and pyrotechnic devices and began in the area of ​​La Armeria Square, next to the Arena Reale.

At the site of the game, in the area reserved for Benfica fans, torches were lit and thrown towards the “churi urdin” fan area.

On the social network “X” (formerly Twitter), Real Sociedad condemned this moment, considering it a “shame” and directly addressing the fans of the Lisbon club.

Merino (six minutes), Oyarzabal (11) and Barrenechea (21) scored for the Basques, who also missed a penalty, while Rafa (49) scored Benfica’s first in the tournament.

Real Sociedad remains top of Group D with 10 points, level on points with Inter Milan in second, while Salzburg are third with three points. Benfica, which has no chance of reaching the 1/8 finals, is fourth and still without points.