During a Champions League group-stage match in San Sebastian, a tense atmosphere erupted as players from the Portuguese club stepped in to restore order amid rising fear. The game, between Spanish and Portuguese sides, was ultimately abandoned after the disturbances intensified and safety could not be guaranteed for spectators and staff.
Regretful and unrepresentative: some Benfica supporters from the radical faction directed torches toward the Anoeta Family Stand and also targeted photographers present in the stadium. The clash occurred in the second half, with Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad side leading by three goals to one. Roughly five minutes into the second half, individuals affiliated with Benfica ignited flares from high rows in the Anoeta, while objects were thrown down onto the pitch and toward staff.
Initially, a flare landed in the Family Stand, where many children were seated. A second flare hit near photographers, and a third and fourth followed, prompting reactions from players and officials. Nicolás Otamendi, the Argentine defender for Benfica, and several teammates signaled to calm the crowd as police moved to restore order.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad supporters applauded their team’s resilience while condemning the disruptive behavior. Some fans left their seats to avoid risk, and there were loud chants urging the departure of those responsible. A notable portion of the home crowd expressed disappointment on social media and through official club channels, calling for accountability from the visiting supporters.
As the match progressed in a disrupted manner, Mikel Oyarzabal appeared to exaggerate an injury in an apparent effort to influence the flow of play, a move that drew mixed reactions from onlookers. The match referee, English official Anthony Taylor, engaged with security personnel to assess whether play could resume safely or if a stoppage should continue until conditions improved.
Real Sociedad fans vocalized their frustration with the behavior witnessed from opposing supporters and urged the authorities to remove the troublemakers from the venue. In the stands, many Real supporters chose to leave the stadium rather than risk their safety. The club’s social media presence reflected the collective sentiment, with fans calling for responsible conduct and for sanctions against those who engaged in violent acts.
By the end of the scheduled play, additional flares appeared, though none were directed into Real Sociedad’s seating areas. No technical details of injuries or long-term implications were disclosed in the immediate aftermath, but the episode underscored the potential consequences of stadium unrest on international competition and squad morale.
Benfica’s call for calm ahead of the next match
In the wake of the incident, Benfica issued a formal appeal urging impeccable conduct from its fans ahead of an upcoming away match in San Sebastián against Real Sociedad. The statement referenced earlier incidents during the Champions League campaign in Milan, which had led to injuries and sanctions from UEFA. Benfica emphasized the importance of directing support toward the team in a constructive manner and maintaining the club’s international reputation.
The club warned that inappropriate behavior could have serious economic consequences and damage the perception of Benfica on the global stage. The appeal stressed that supporters needed to respect the spirit and culture of the club while attending away fixtures, reinforcing the idea that fan behavior reflects on the entire organization.
Officials and organizers continue to review the events to determine further steps and potential disciplinary measures in alignment with competition rules and safety protocols.