Portugal bans over 300 people from sports venues

Portuguese Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Paulo Simões Ribeiro, announced that 344 individuals have been banned from entering sports venues nationwide through August 2026, with 288 of those receiving convictions. Speaking at the S4 International Congress in Viseu, Ribeiro identified the use of pyrotechnics and rival fan confrontations as primary security challenges.

Other issues highlighted include the fight against piracy and counterfeit sports equipment. Regarding the potential sale of alcohol in stadiums, the government is reviewing reports from a pilot project conducted in August at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra during the Supertaça Cândido Oliveira match.

Looking toward the 2030 World Cup, Ribeiro emphasized the importance of border management and external border control as essential tools for both national and European Union security.