TAD backs Benfica in Porto clash, slams ban: “Diabolical burden of proof” | OneFootball

Benfica received a favorable ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD), following the incidents recorded at the Estádio do Dragão during the Clássico against Porto, played on October 5, 2025, for Liga Portugal. The match ended in a goalless draw, but the disturbances that took place at half-time ended up leading to disciplinary proceedings involving the Reds' SAD.

The decision, taken unanimously by the Arbitral Panel on September 18, examined the appeal lodged by the Eagles against a sanction imposed by the FPF Disciplinary Board. At issue were clashes between members of the organized groups No Name Boys and Diabos Vermelhos, which led to a fine of 5,740 euros being imposed on the Club from Luz, for the alleged breach of article 182 of the League’s Disciplinary Regulations, relating to serious assaults on spectators and other participants.

The TAD deemed Benfica’s appeal "fully well-founded" and annulled the fine imposed by the Disciplinary Board, also determining that the costs of the proceedings should be borne in full by the Portuguese Football Federation. In the ruling, the arbitrators considered that Benfica SAD could not be held responsible for the incidents, since it was acting as the visiting team. The court stressed that the Reds' club “did not assume, in that match, the role of organizer of the sporting event, nor did it have control over access to, presence in, or surveillance of the sports venue,” responsibilities assigned to the home club and the security forces.

Another decisive aspect for the ruling was the failure to identify the people involved in the clashes. According to the ruling, "none of the people involved in the incidents were identified," and there was no evidence that they were members, registered supporters, or associates of Benfica SAD. The court also highlighted that Benfica fulfilled the required regulatory duties, being accompanied by the Security Director and the Supporter Liaison Officer. In addition, it found that the Club “was not aware of the dispute during the course of the match,” thus ruling out the existence of elements that would make it possible to attribute responsibility for the घटनions to it.

One of the central points of the ruling concerns the rejection of any possible liability based on presumptions, without concrete evidence of culpable conduct on Benfica’s part. The Arbitral Panel held that a sanction in these circumstances would represent a "diabolical burden of proof" for the Club, in addition to conflicting with the principle of the presumption of innocence. The TAD’s decision therefore represents the favorable outcome of the appeal lodged by the Eagles regarding the incidents at the Dragão, annulling the 5,740-euro fine and assigning FPF responsibility for the costs of the proceedings.

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