The Public Security Police assured this Sunday that it will not tolerate “violence” and “messages of a racist and xenophobic nature”. last four of the League Cup, from January 24 to 28, in Leiria.
Superintendent Abel Batalha, of the PSP in Leiria, emphasized that the police will also be particularly alert to the arrival of pyrotechnic material, so that “a good atmosphere is created around this event”.
“The outer perimeter is for ticket checking only, random searches will take place in the security area and at the entrance of the doors everyone will be searched. No one will pass without being searched. The supporters are being watched by the valences of the PSP so that we will not be faced with any surprises,” he assured Abel Battle.
The PSP will also be alert and, in collaboration with the Authority for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in Sport, will ensure that supporters who are not allowed to enter a football stadium do not do so.
The security plan for the semi-finals, in which Arouca takes on Sporting (Tuesday) and FC Porto against Académico de Viseu (Wednesday), includes “all the capabilities of the PSP”, assured the superintendent, without specifying which.
The security apparatus is made up of PSP, GNR, private security, emergency medical services, firefighters, Red Cross and civil protection service of the municipality of Leiria, with the aim of guaranteeing that the event, which takes place in Leiria for the third time in a row, is a “genuine anthem of football,” emphasized the PSP Superintendent in Leiria.
Before arriving at Estádio de Leiria, two security perimeters are created on match days, the first of which opens at 3 p.m. for initial entry verification. “Only those with a ticket can enter,” explained Liga Portugal security director Roberto Domingos.
There will be a “random search” within the area around the stadium, after which all supporters will be searched at the entrance of the sports complex.
The opening of the doors for access to the stadium takes place two hours before the match.
Roberto Domingos explained that the supporters of the semi-final teams enter through different zones. For example, in the two semi-finals, the West zone (doors 5,6,7 and 8) is reserved for fans of Arouca and Académico de Viseu, on the respective match days.
The east side (gates 1, 2, 3 and 4) is for the supporters of Sporting and FC Porto, on the respective days of their semi-finals
“It’s a spectacle we want safe. We want families to come and enjoy it,” the League’s director of safety stressed, referring to an identical situation before the final.
Abel Batalha also assured that there will be security all over the city, the center of which – where the ‘fan zone’ is located – will also be monitored by video surveillance.
“The PSP appeals to sportsmanship and fair-play so that it becomes a sports celebration for all involved,” warned the superintendent, who advises people to arrive as early as possible and to leave their vehicles in designated parks.
Abel Batalha also asked for the understanding of all citizens, namely Leirienses, as they will be conditioned in road mobility during the games taking place during the week.
“The accesses are delicate. We advise you to take the outer roads”, not least because the arteries in the vicinity of the stadium will be closed from 3 p.m.
The PSP also advises against buying tickets from strangers to avoid scams, leaving no visible objects in vehicles and keeping wallets in clusters next to the body.
Abel Batalha also admitted that if the final, which will be played on Saturday, is against FC Porto and Sporting, it will be a “risky” game, but stressed that the PSP is ready to respond to any possible scenario.
Source: DN
