PSP detains 10 No Name Boys in Kickoff operation over futsal derby brawl
Portuguese police carried out a large-scale operation on Thursday, arresting 10 members of the No Name Boys group suspected of aggression before a futsal match between Sporting and Benfica in February.
The February brawl
On 19 February 2026, a severe confrontation erupted near the Estádio de Alvalade and Pavilhão João Rocha, where a futsal derby between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Sport Lisboa e Benfica was scheduled. A total of 124 people, 63 affiliated with Benfica and 61 with Sporting, clashed in the brawl. Authorities detained all involved, though they were later released pending further investigation.
Operation Kickoff
This Thursday, the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) launched Operation Kickoff, targeting members of the No Name Boys, an unofficial Benfica supporter group. From 7 a.m., officers from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Lisbon Metropolitan Command executed 11 home search warrants across the Greater Lisbon area. The operation, overseen by the 11th Section of the DIAP de Lisboa, led to 10 arrests on suspicion of crimes related to violence in sport.
Evidence and investigation
The PSP stated that the searches yielded "diverse material evidence" which will be incorporated into the ongoing inquiry. The investigation focuses on aggressions committed by the suspects ahead of the February futsal match. No further details on the nature of the evidence have been released.
Timeline of events
- Mass brawl near Estádio de Alvalade before Sporting-Benfica futsal match; 124 detained and later released.
- PSP Operation Kickoff: 10 No Name Boys members arrested, 11 search warrants executed.
