The sentence means: “We are provoked, so we reacted”. It was said by Fernando Madureira, the head of a group of thugs that happens to be the main organized supporters group for FC Porto, after they destroyed a bakery and wounded 3 persons. According to the owner of the bakery, who was probably having a nice and pleasant Sunday, the “SuperDragons” (the name of the supp. group) entered the store and started breaking everything with no particular reason. In the end, the damages were such, that she had to close the bakery for repairs. However, as far as Madureira is concerned, it was a legitimate action, one which he personally assumes all responsability for and also all financial costs associated with it. According to him, there were a couple of “Benfica” supporters, identified by their shirts, taunting them. And that’s enough motivation to bash some heads and destroy private property.

Now, one question remains: “What’s gonna happen to him and to the supporters?”. Afterall, it’s a crime! And it’s not the first time as well. Supporters’ groups in Portugal are quite known for their propensity to be violent. If FC Porto plays in Lisbon (300km trip) or Benfica/Sporting in the North, everyone knows that it’s the best to avoid highway stations on that day. It doesn’t really matter if you support or don’t support another team. I’ve heard friends saying that they were just paying (or trying to) for things at a highway fuel station and these gorillas forced them not to. And yet, they walk on unscathed by law. Even better, they sell autobiographies and boast about these things.

Yes, indeed they are not as violent as some Ultras groups in other places. But still, it’s unpleasant for someone who would otherwise enjoy a football match to have to pay attention to their cellphone and wallet, hide their team’s scarf, look away, etc, when such a team is playing. It’s also unpleasant to have to be really really careful where you sit during a match. I’ve had a bad experience because I just happen to run in into the wrong aisle of the stadium. The ammount of agressive stares and the tension that built-up in just ten seconds of my presence in their midst was amazing. Something is wrong. And everybody knows it. But it seems no-one cares.

And so goes football in Portugal. Oh, by the way, Sunday’s events were about a handball match. Apparently, after these “incidents”, the supporters’ group were “identified” by the police forces and were allowed into the field to watch the game. Just hilarious..