Atletico Madrid vs. Benfica Crowd Trouble Reportedly Sees Child Hit by Flare
A two-year-old child was reportedly struck by a flare as Benfica fans celebrated a goal during their 2-1 win away at Atletico Madrid.
That’s according to AS (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror), which wrote the pyrotechnics were thrown from the section housing the Benfica fans down onto the tier below after Nico Gaitan equalised for the Portuguese giants at the end of the first half. Goncalo Guedes scored Benfica's winning goal in the second half in a famous win at the Vicente Calderon.
It’s also claimed one person was also treated for minor burns.
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Journalist Mantas Krasnickas posted some footage of the Benfica supporters celebrating the goal and plenty of booing from the home fans in response:
As reported by AS, Benfica issued an apologetic statement, including quotes from their president, Luis Filipe Vieira:
"I have mixed emotions, happiness and disappointment. Certain things are difficult for us to control. Sadly a small group of trouble-makers has tarnished the good name of Benfica, just as the players honoured the playing shirt and made us all proud after the win in Madrid.
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The away supporters at the Vicente Calderon are located in an upper tier of a stand behind one of the goals. When Gaitan scored, the flares seemed to be lit in the away section and found their way down into the home supporters below.
According to Marca, the flares were “thrown” by the travelling fans. In the article, it’s also claimed the objects were tossed into the "security area" that separates the stand from the playing surface and a segment of the stadium where wheelchair users watch the game.
Marca also reports a “small fire” was caused by the pyrotechnics, with the Benfica fans “lighting more and more flares.” The paper stated the actions of the visitors were roundly jeered by the Atleti faithful and that an announcement was put out on the public address system asking for calm.
Europe’s top-tier club competition has had to cope with similar incidents to this in the past. Last season, the Galatasaray supporters visiting Arsenal tossed pyrotechnics onto the playing surface. As a result, the Turkish side were fined €50,000, reported by the Press Association (h/t the Guardian).
In the playoff round of this year’s competition, a flare sent from CSKA Moscow supporters in their club's game against Sporting CP also made its way onto the field.
