The upcoming match between Benfica and Inter Milan in the Champions League could be played behind closed doors.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the Estadio da Luza could be empty for the clash due to violent behaviour by Benfica fans in previous match.
Fans of Portuguese champions Benfica have once again been at the centre of controversy in the Champions League.
Already last season, Benfica fans were involved in a violent incident.
This came at the San Siro, during the second leg of a Champions League quarterfinal tie between the Lisbon-based team and Inter.
Some Benfica fans shockingly threw flares at a group of Inter fans in the stand below them.
The Portuguese club issued an apology for the behaviour of some of their fans.
And Benfica also received a punishment for the incident. This was that they were not allowed to bring away supporters to their next match in Europe.
And, by coincidence, that was also at the San Siro. Benfica faced Inter in a Champions League group stage match in Milano this season.
Benfica Vs Inter Champions League Clash Could Be Behind Closed Doors
Evidently the punishment that they had received did not deter certain Benfica supporters, however.
During a recent Champions League group stage match against Real Sociedad, fans of the Portuguese club did the same thing they had done at the San Siro in April.
Some Benfica fans threw flares into a group of La Real supporters in the stand below them.
And according to the Gazzetta, UEFA could take even more severe action.
The newspaper reports that there may be no fans in the stadium when Inter travel to Lisbon after the international break.
The Nerazzurri will play their fifth group stage match in the Champions League at the end of the month. They have already qualified for the knockouts, but still have topping the group as an objective.
But there may be no fans in the stadium for that match.
This would mean both Benfica supporters, as well as those travelling Inter fans who had already purchase their tickets for the match.
