Controversy! Porto eject Estrela da Amadora fans at half-time at the Dragão | OneFootball

The match between Porto and Estrela da Amadora was marked by yet another controversial episode at Estádio do Dragão. The supporters of the Reboleira team were removed from the venue at halftime. The ‘Magia Tricolor’ fan group issued a statement about the incident, referring to “a series of absolutely unacceptable events.”

“When heading to the sector indicated on the ticket (Sector 46), the fans found themselves in a section located in one of the stadium’s central areas, almost entirely filled with home supporters—a scenario that, in itself, poses an obvious risk. Even so, no one from the organization seemed to find this relevant. With a total lack of barriers, instructions, or restrictions from the venue’s security, the fans moved to Sector 50, which was completely empty. The usual banners were put up, just as in previous years, and the Spotters team was present, without pointing out any infraction. Up to this point, everything was normal, or at least until someone decided to create a problem where there wasn’t one,” the statement reads.

The fan group revealed more details about the controversy: “Still during the first half, two ARDs appeared to inform us that the fans would have to leave Sector 50 (the Away Sector) and return to Sector 46, the crowded sector, mixed with home supporters and lacking minimum safety conditions. A decision as irresponsible as it was incomprehensible. Naturally, this order was contested, as it put the fans in a situation of real risk, going against any basic notion of safety. The only ‘crime’ committed was wanting to support the team in an organized and peaceful way. We requested the presence of the OLA from Estrela da Amadora, who, despite being duly accredited by Liga Portugal, was repeatedly hindered in moving around the stadium,” they describe.

However, the situation did not end in the best way: “The OLA took over the dialogue with the ARDs and stayed with the group until halftime. Everything indicated that the situation would be resolved in a civilized manner. Our mistake. Both the OLA and the Security Director of Estrela da Amadora were told that, at halftime, the fans would be relocated to Sector 46, avoiding conflicts. We accepted this decision, just to ensure calm. Everything was prepared for an orderly, peaceful, and cooperative transition. However, at the moment of this move, the security forces decided to change the script, and we were forced to be identified, with the absurd justification that we would be expelled from the stadium, without any plausible explanation. 15 people were identified, including a 15-year-old child. All this without any disturbance, without any aggression, without insults, without resistance. On the contrary, there was always total cooperation. But it seems that, in current Portuguese football, cooperating is also a reason for punishment. We did not cross any barriers, we did not force entry, we did not break any rules, we did not use illegal banners, everyone complied with the regulations. The only ‘infraction’ was having changed sectors due to lack of safety conditions, something that should be valued, not punished,” adds the ‘Magia Tricolor’ fan group.

It should be recalled that, last week, Porto was once again in the spotlight for the worst reasons. André Villas Boas was present at Dragão Arena to watch Sporting’s handball team’s emphatic victory over Porto. As our newspaper exclusively reported, the leader of the blue and whites was in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, where he intimidated the refereeing team (Find out more HERE).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.