Benfica have issued a formal apology to Inter for the behaviour of some of the Portuguese club’s supporters who were at the San Siro on Tuesday, where they were seen throwing flares at some Nerazzurri fans in the stands.

The club issued the apology in an official press release, as reported by FCInter1908, in which they state that the incident that took place during Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg match was “not in line with [the club’s] values.”

Whilst Inter and Benfica were playing on the pitch at the San Siro earlier this week for a place in the semifinals of Europe’s top club competition, a match which was drawn 3-3, a result that was good enough for the Nerazzurri to reach the semifinals by a 5-3 aggregate score, some profoundly unfortunate scenes were unfolding in the stands.

A number of Benfica fans had begun to throw flares when the Portuguese side fell behind in the match.

At a certain point some of the Benfica supporters, who were in a section of the stadium above a stand where home fans were sitting, began throwing the flares in the direction of the Nerazzurri fans in the stands.

This was obviously a massive safety risk, although fortunately no Inter fans were injured by the flares that were launched into their section in the stadium.

In any event, Benfica have intervened to make perfectly clear that the incident with the flares is in no way condoned by the club, and that it does not represent what the Portuguese club stands for institutionally.

“Benfica informs the public that they have sent a letter to Inter expressing their regret and apologizing for the incidents that occurred during the Champions League match between the two clubs,” they write in a statement.

“The football we strive for does not allow these types of situations, which are completely repugnant and not in line with Benfica’s values ​​and principles,” they add.