Police detain 37 after trouble flares at V. Guimarães-FC Porto night match | OneFootball

The Braga District Command released a statement this Monday regarding the incidents that occurred on Sunday, following the match between Vitória Sport Club and Futebol Clube do Porto. “The PSP, through the commitment of various units, detained 37 citizens, 33 on Rua Cónego Dr. Manuel Faria, for participating in a brawl and causing damage to an establishment, 3 for damage to vehicles, and 1 for illegal possession of a weapon (extendable baton), on Avenida da Imaculada Conceição,” it reads.

Of the 33 individuals intercepted, a man was also named as a defendant “for the crime of drug trafficking for possessing a narcotic substance, namely cocaine,” and another “for the crime of possession of a prohibited weapon, specifically an altered pyrotechnic article.”

Read the full statement:

“The Public Security Police (PSP), through the Braga District Command, within the scope of sports policing in Guimarães, between the football teams of Vitória Sport Club and Futebol Clube do Porto, on the night of last Sunday, January 18, 2026, deployed various units, from Patrol Teams and Traffic Teams, Rapid Intervention Teams and Immediate Prevention and Reaction Teams, Intervention Corps and the Canine Operational Group of the Special Police Unit, Spotters Teams and Criminal Investigation Teams, the latter with the aim of detecting and intercepting individuals suspected of preparing and committing illegal acts in the context of sports violence.

During the operation, the PSP was alerted by citizens who reported a large number of fans involved in disturbances. After the deployment of police resources, 33 individuals participating in a brawl were immediately intercepted.

In another incident, three people were detained for causing damage to two vehicles they identified as belonging to fans of the opposing team. In this sequence, a citizen was also detained for possession of a prohibited weapon, specifically a baton.

The rapid intervention of the PSP prevented the events from escalating in severity, putting an end to and mitigating the incidents occurring at the location.

The authorities thanked the civic behavior of the majority of the fans present in Guimarães and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting people and property and maintaining public order at events with large crowds. The PSP assured that it will maintain its presence and commitment to ensuring a safe environment in all sports venues, in coordination with the Judicial Authorities and the Authority for the Prevention and Combat of Violence in Sports.

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