Porto fined 3,060 euros after Benfica complaint over Dragão access | OneFootball

The Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary board has fined Porto 3,060 euros over incidents at Estádio do Dragão during the Portuguese Cup quarter-final against Benfica on 14 January. The ruling was unanimous.

According to Glorioso 1904, the case arose from a complaint by Benfica’s SAD alleging discriminatory and degrading treatment of travelling supporters. Significant delays at the turnstiles left hundreds missing the entire first half.

The report detailed that many were told to remove their footwear during security checks outside the ground, including children and elderly supporters, with the checks conducted on wet or damp surfaces due to the weather.

In its defence, Porto cited the late arrival of visiting fans and disorder near the entrances. It said the footwear inspections followed guidance from the authorities given past incidents involving pyrotechnics.

The disciplinary board found that, even if such measures could be justified on safety grounds, Porto failed to ensure basic comfort for spectators. It also noted poor access management, with idle control posts while large numbers were held outside.

The decision referenced what it termed conscious negligence, stating the organiser ignored repeated security warnings to speed up entry. Porto’s recent record of organisational breaches was considered when setting the sanction.

Source: Glorioso 1904