The Public Security Police (PSP) considered this Monday to be a high risk for the derby between Benfica and Sporting, Tuesday for the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final and Saturday for the 28th round of the First Portuguese Cup. League.
“These games are considered high-risk games by the APCVD (Agency for the Prevention and Control of Violence in Sports) and stadiums are expected to be completely full. [da Luz, na terça-feira, e José Alvalade, no sábado]This was stated by Quartermaster Isaac Figueira de Chavez at a press conference held at the PSP Metropolitan Command in Lisbon.
Figueira de Chaves has guaranteed police forces will be prepared for the crowd of Big Three fans at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz on Saturday, despite the I League derby being scheduled at the green-white grounds.
On this day, the “red” stadium will host a basketball derby at 15:00 and a handball derby between Benfica and Porto at 17:00 before the “big” football championship game.
Meanwhile, at 16:00, Benfica fans should begin their walk to the José Alvalade stadium, where the derby of the 28th round of the I League will take place at 20:30.
“The police have planned an operation that takes into account several variables. Therefore, taking into account this situation, appropriate police work will be carried out,” the quartermaster assured.
About Benfica’s hosting of Sporting for the second leg of the Cup semi-final, scheduled for Tuesday at 20:45, in a match in which the Lions will arrive with a 2-1 lead at home, Figueira de Chaves was confident. .
The person in charge recalled the police work during the last derby on February 29, then played on Thursday, calling it successful and without serious incidents.
“The procedure will be repeated because there is a difference between playing on weekdays and on weekends,” he admitted.
PSP also asked fans to arrive at the stadium early, preferably by public transport, stressing that the doors of the Estádio da Luz will open at 18:45 (two hours before kick-off).
Leonin fans must meet at 16:00 near the José Alvalade Stadium to begin their march to the welcome stage under escort.
Regarding the more than 420 fans banned from entering sports venues in 2023, Figueira de Chávez confirmed controls over entrances.
“We have a list, we know who the fans are who have these measures in place and they will not be allowed to enter the stadium or even get close to them. At the entrance, requests for tickets are reviewed, and those people who have such measures are caught.” , who are known to the police and if they are approached nearby, they are also asked not to enter the stadium,” he explained.
Sporting, leaders of League One, and Benfica, champions and runners-up with a one-point lead with one more game to play, will face each other on Tuesday at the Estádio da Luz for the Cup, and four days later at the Sporting stadium. Jose Alvalade Stadium for the championship.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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