The petition emerges on the eve of the 2024/2025 men’s football I Liga championship celebrations, which could be clinched on Saturday by either Sporting or Benfica, two prominent teams from Lisbon.
“The undersigned hereby appeal to the competent authorities for sports celebrations to cease occurring at Avenida da Liberdade / Marquês de Pombal and instead be held in a more suitable location for their scale and impact,” reads the introduction to the petition, which had 25 signatories as of 18:50 today.
Petitioners argue that Avenida da Liberdade “has increasingly been subjected to an overload of events, public space occupations, and traffic closures.”
“In recent decades, football celebrations at Marquês de Pombal have evolved from spontaneous and symbolic festivities to large-scale events, with stage setups, amplified sound, large crowds, and significant limitations on public space,” they point out.
In this context, the Avenida da Liberdade association calls for these uses to be “evaluated much more rigorously, assessing their impact and the viability of alternatives.”
“Lisbon already has a space capable of hosting these types of celebrations, Parque Tejo, designed for large events, with safety, accessibility, and capacity for crowds,” they suggest.
Another proposed alternative is the clubs’ stadiums, which could be adapted for “organized, family-friendly, and safe celebrations.”
“We appeal to common sense, balance, and the appreciation of everyone who is part of the city. Sign this petition so that Lisbon celebrates major football victories with pride, but also with responsibility and respect for everyone,” the petition text states.
The football championship festivities will lead to the closure of nearly 60 businesses in the Marquês de Pombal area on Saturday at 17:00.
Following the result of last weekend’s Lisbon derby, the decisive matches of the final I Liga round are scheduled for Saturday at 18:00, specifically the Sporting vs. Vitória de Guimarães and Sporting de Braga vs. Benfica games, which will determine the championship title.
Traditionally, after securing the championship, Benfica and Sporting fans gather at the Marquês de Pombal roundabout and its surroundings.
