Benfica avoid sanction over 2024 Estoril incident after lack of evidence | OneFootball

Benfica avoid sanction over 2024 Estoril incident after lack of evidence | OneFootball

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·17 March 2026

Benfica avoid sanction over 2024 Estoril incident after lack of evidence

Article image:Benfica avoid sanction over 2024 Estoril incident after lack of evidence

According to Glorioso 1904, the FPF’s Disciplinary Board has closed its probe into the Benfica versus Estoril incident, a year on, ruling the club will face no sanction due to insufficient evidence.

The case concerned an eight-year-old who suffered burns while watching Benfica 3-0 Estoril in matchday 15 of Liga Portugal Betclic at Estádio da Luz in December 2024.


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The decision states the combined evidence did not establish, with the required certainty, the nature of the object that caused the injury, its source, or whether any deflagration occurred at the location identified.

It records that the PSP, venue stewards, ARD, and CCTV detected no pyrotechnic ignition in the North Stand, level three, at about 19:23, and that witness testimony was inconclusive.

The board added that the injury alone, in the absence of physical traces from the scene, could not prove the use of pyrotechnics. It called the incident regrettable, particularly as it involved a minor, but concluded no breach could be shown with the necessary degree of certainty.

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