2024-04-12 17:26:10
Benfica and Marseille, rivals in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, today called on the police authorities of Portugal and France, in a joint statement, to guarantee the presence of fans from both clubs at both games.
This statement comes two days after Gallic media reported that the local police, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, want to prevent the movement of fans and members linked to the Lisbon club to prevent episodes of violence between Benfica and Marseille fans. , in the decisive duel of the second leg, scheduled for April 18th.
“Benfica and Marseille call on the authorities of both countries to ensure that the Europa League quarter-final matches are played in the presence of fans of both clubs, both in the first leg and on Thursday, April 11, at Estádio da Luz, as in the second leg, at the Vélodrome”, reads a note published on the official website of the ‘reds’.
More than 200 Benfica fans identified as violent
On Friday, the French press added that the French secret services had identified a group of between 200 and 300 Benfica fans with a violent history and belonging to radical and violent groups.
Therefore, the police prefer to go ahead with the ban, since, based on experience in other games, Portuguese fans normally travel and move in small groups, making it difficult for security forces to monitor them.
“Together with UEFA and the authorities, the two clubs are working closely to comply with all criteria and guarantee the highest organizational standards in terms of security”, defends the Lisbon emblem.
The first match will be on Thursday, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, followed by the second leg a week later, on French soil.
2024-04-12 17:26:10