The decision to cut ties came from Sporting, who have justified the move, seen frequently in years gone by, due to violent incidents on Saturday during a futsal match between the two clubs at Benfica.


The decision, Sporting said, also had to do with banners mocking the death of a Sporting fan in the 1996 Portuguese Cup Final and threats that there was more to come.


On Sunday, the club from Alvalade later hosted Benfica in a football league match that ended 1-1, with no serious incidents being reported.