Storm Charles forces UEFA to postpone Benfica and Torreense women's matches

Nationwide alert and closures

Portugal's government declared a state of alert across mainland Portugal for Wednesday, 11 November, running from 00:00 to 23:59 as Storm Charles approached. Forecasts pointed to intense rain, strong wind and flood risk, with Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro expected to be hit hardest. Schools and non-essential public services are closed in every district, and outdoor events are suspended. Residents are barred from parks, gardens, woodlands and coastal areas, and authorities said they could close bridges and restrict air traffic. Interior Minister Luís Neves urged employers to adopt telework and asked people to stay at home during a press conference at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority in Carnaxide, Oeiras. Announcing the outdoor ban on Tuesday morning, Neves said:

“Outdoor activities are prohibited and suspended.”

Weather warnings

The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) placed eight districts under red warning, with gusts that could reach 140 km/h. A second IPMA forecast reported on Tuesday put expected gusts at 120 km/h and warned that a sting jet, a fast-descending air current inside a depression, could push gusts above 150 km/h. The forecasters expected the strongest effects in the districts already named by the government. The figures below set out the gust forecasts as they were reported.

Gusts up to, eight red-warning districts140

Gusts forecast, per IPMA120

Sting jet gusts, could exceed150

Gusts up to, eight red-warning districts

140 km/h

Gusts forecast, per IPMA

120 km/h

Sting jet gusts, could exceed

150 km/h

Data from the article text

Benfica and Torreense women's matches

UEFA postponed two women's European fixtures scheduled for Wednesday in Portugal. Benfica were due to host Austria Wien at the Estádio da Luz at 20:00 in the fourth league-phase matchday of the Women's Champions League. Torreense were to receive Sparta Praha at the Estádio Manuel Marques at 18:00 in the second leg of the Women's Europa Cup last-16 tie. Benfica had cancelled its pre-match press conference set for Tuesday afternoon, even though the squad trained that morning at Seixal. Earlier on Tuesday, Torreense said it was in contact with UEFA, while Benfica said it would follow the decisions of the Portuguese state and UEFA. No new dates have been set for either match.

Youth national teams and other fixtures

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) moved its Under-17, Under-19 and women's Under-16 matches from Wednesday to Thursday, 12 November. Portugal face Andorra in an Under-17 European Championship qualifier at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, while Portugal meet Lithuania in an Under-19 qualifier at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca. The women's Under-16 side plays the Republic of Ireland at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. The FPF said the other qualifying matches in those rounds were also moved to Thursday. In its statement, the federation urged clubs to follow the safety rules set by the government and Civil Protection:

“The Portuguese Football Federation urges all clubs to comply with the safety instructions issued by the Government and Civil Protection.”

Sporting also moved its volleyball matches at the Pavilhão João Rocha behind closed doors for Tuesday and Wednesday. That includes Wednesday's 19:30 European match against Azerbaijan's FHN-Xilasedici VK, a second-qualifying-round tie. A dressage contest in Golegã was also postponed.

What remains open

Benfica and Torreense are waiting for UEFA to reorganise their European calendars, and no new dates have been announced. The postponements were justified by the priority given to the safety of players, technical staff and supporters. The youth matches now sit on Thursday, 12 November, with the rest of their qualifying rounds moved to the same day. At the time of reporting, Storm Charles was still over the Atlantic, with forecasts pointing toward Madeira and mainland Portugal.