Latest news and stories about racism in Portugal for expats and residents.
The case regarding the alleged racist insults directed at Benfica volleyball player Lucas França during the match against Sporting de Espinho has been referred to the Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation, a federation source confirmed today.
The incident occurred in the fourth set of the second match of the play-off quarter-finals.
The fact that a member of parliament who was a victim of racism in the Assembly of the Republic is formally warned that she cannot, in the future, call her aggressors racists has another name. Censorship. Worse: censorship that gives a voice to racism and silences those who wish to oppose it.
Benfica expressed regret today, in a statement, regarding the racist insults directed at Brazilian player Lucas França during a volleyball match at Sporting de Espinho's home ground, which forced the interruption of the national championship game.
The match between Sporting de Espinho and Benfica, part of the national volleyball championship play-off quarter-finals, was interrupted for about 10 minutes following an alleged racist insult directed at Benfica player Lucas França. During the fourth set of the match—which ended in a 3-1 victory for Benfica—the Brazilian middle blocker reportedly heard an insult from the stands. Lucas França reacted immediately, threw the ball out of play, and went to the bench visibly distressed, stating he had been called a 'monkey'. The game continued for a few more points but was eventually halted as the athlete requested the referees to identify the perpetrator, involving Portuguese Volleyball Federation delegates and authorities. Benfica coach Marcel Matz expressed his dismay after the match, stating that such incidents are deeply painful and tarnish the sport, while lamenting that they continue to occur.
UEFA has ordered a partial closure of 500 seats in sectors 10 and 11 of the Estádio da Luz due to racist and discriminatory abuse during the Champions League play-off first leg against Real Madrid. The penalty is suspended for one year, during which time the closure will be enforced if further racist incidents occur. Following the match, Benfica identified the individuals responsible, suspended their season tickets, and initiated disciplinary proceedings that could lead to their expulsion as club members. Additionally, Benfica was fined 40,000 euros for the racist abuse, 25,000 euros for objects thrown onto the pitch, and 8,000 euros for the use of laser pointers. Assistant coach Pedro Machado also received a one-match suspension for unsporting conduct.
The Joint Action Group Against Racism and Xenophobia denounced the discriminatory attacks and launched a petition to amend the Penal Code, which has already gathered more than 26,000 signatures.
Portugal’s historic success at the World Indoor Athletics Championships has been overshadowed by a wave of racist abuse targeting its medal-winning athletes, sparking outrage and renewed calls to tackle discrimination The post Racist abuse mars Portugal’s historic athletics triumph appeared first on Portugal Resident.
A community of 81 collectives has launched a petition to the Assembly of the Republic to amend the Penal Code. Agate de Sousa, Isaac Nader, and Gerson Baldé were insulted on social media.
One of the 311 hate crime investigations opened in 2025 resulted in a charge this year. Charges are rising, but still account for about 2.3% of cases. This Saturday is the day against racism.
The Association of Brazilian Researchers and Students in Coimbra (APEB) was one of the entities to sign a statement of repudiation following the circulation of an audio clip containing racist and misogynistic content in a WhatsApp group of University of Coimbra students. The situation is currently under investigation. One of the students identified as the author of the audio belongs to the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, which has already referred the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office. In his statement, the rector of the University of Coimbra affirmed that he will also refer the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office if the participation of any student from the institution is identified. Coimbra hosts a high number of Brazilian students. The president of APEB, Letícia Coelho, spoke to Radar DN Brasil.
Xenophobic and misogynistic images and audio attributed to students from the Faculty of Law and the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra circulated online. The Rector guarantees that cases outside the University of Coimbra will be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
There are people within the PSP who are comfortable with racism and xenophobia. They are certainly not all members of the force; they may even be a small number among the police's 20,000 officers, but those who exist are one too many. Editorial by David Pontes
A human rights organisation condemned the messages on Chega's election campaign posters relating to the Roma community.
