This Thursday, the PSP asked the spectators of the Benfica-FC Porto, match of the 27th day of the I Liga football scheduled for Friday, to use buses to get to the Estádio da Luz, as an alternative to the partial closure of the Metro.
Between Friday and Monday, the blue line of the Lisbon Metropolitan (Reboleira – Santa Apolónia), which includes the stations closest to the Estádio da Luz, where the match will be played, is closed for work to modernize the signaling system.
“There will be some limitations because the blue line will not work,” stressed the mayor Francisco Alves, during the press conference of the Public Security Police (PSP) about the game.
However, he recalled that the Lisbon Metropolitan had prepared “a contingency plan” with the buses.
According to the carrier’s website, as an alternative, the buses will run between Campo Grande (next to the NOS company building) and Estrada da Luz (next to the Second Circular viaduct), from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. classic’ day.
Passengers on these buses “will be able to use valid tickets on the Metro network,” says the company.
“People should continue to opt for public transport”, stated the mayor, who sees buses as the most practical solution to get to the starting point.
Faced with the expectation of more than 60 thousand spectators, Francisco Alves foresees restrictions on traffic around the stadium, so he asks the fans to arrive early.
The doors of the Estádio da Luz open at 4:00 p.m., reported PSP.
To the expected two thousand fans of FC Porto, the same entity summoned them to meet until 2:30 p.m. next to the Mário Soares roundabout, on Avenida dos Condes de Carnide, and then go to the playing field, accompanied by police officers.
Asked by the journalists about possible celebrations, given that, in case of victory, Benfica will be 13 points ahead of FC Porto, the mayor replied that the PSP will be attentive to the fans even after the end of the game.
“The surveillance will only end when the 60,000 people have left the stadium and the area,” said Francisco Alves, who acknowledged that this match “will not decide anything” about the winner of the championship.
Regarding the use of fireworks, the police officer recalled that it is prohibited and dangerous.
“We have uniformed and non-uniformed teams that are attentive to the phenomenon, which are also our ‘spotters,'” he stressed, noting that surveillance will be carried out inside and outside the stadium.
Benfica leads the 1st Portuguese Football League, with 71 points, 10 more than FC Porto, in second place.
The match starts at 18:00 and takes place at the Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon.
Source: TSF
