Benfica ordered by UEFA to partially close its stadium.

Benfica has been ordered by UEFA to partially close 500 seats in sections 10 and 11 of the Estádio da Luz. The decision has already been published by the governing body of European football.

The issue concerns the racist and discriminatory behavior of some fans (five have since been suspended by the club and may be expelled from the membership program) during a match against Real Madrid. The club’s suspension will be suspended for one year due to this incident.

According to our sources, UEFA took into account the speed of the internal investigation carried out by Benfica, resulting in a reduced penalty. 

Furthermore, assistant coach Pedro Machado was suspended for one UEFA match for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the club was fined €73,000 = €40,000 for racist conduct by fans, €25,000 for throwing objects, and €8,000 for the use of lasers. 

It all happened following a goal scored by Vinicius Júnior on February 17th, in the first leg of the Champions League play-off for access to the round of 16. The Brazilian celebrated near the corner flag, provoking reactions from the stands, some of which were racist in nature. ollowing this, Vinicius accused Gianluca Prestianni of racist insults. The Argentinian was provisionally suspended for the second leg, but the outcome of the investigation carried out by UEFA is unknown.