Lisbon Mayor denies rejection of Benfica District project

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has denied claims that the ‘Benfica District’ megaproject, proposed by Sport Lisboa e Benfica to transform the area surrounding Estádio da Luz, has been rejected.

The denial came during a public municipal executive meeting following social media claims by Benfica’s former communications director, João Gabriel, suggesting the project had been blocked by the Lisbon City Council. In response to questioning from Bloco de Esquerda councillor Ricardo Moreira, Moedas stated that the project is simply following the standard urban planning procedures required in the city.

Moreira criticized the Mayor for previously appearing to support the project before it had undergone formal urban planning scrutiny. Moedas maintained that he has had no interference in the process and emphasized that the large-scale project is important for the city.