Benfica duo Julian Weigl and Andrija Zivkovic taken to hospital after team bus pelted by stones

Benfica midfielder Julian Weigl was taken to hospital after the stoning of the team bus that happened after a goalless draw against Tondela
AP
George Flood5 June 2020

Benfica players Julian Weigl and Andrija Zivkovic were taken to hospital after the team bus was pelted with stones following their goalless home draw against CD Tondela on Thursday night.

In an official statement, the reigning Portuguese champions said the duo were immediately transported to the Hospital Da Luz in Lisbon for observation as a precautionary measure after being struck by "shrapnel".

Benfica said the players' bus was stoned after leaving the A2 motorway and heading towards the Seixal Internship Center.

The club denounced such criminal acts and called on the authorities to make the "greatest effort" to identify the perpetrators, guaranteeing "total collaboration" on their part.

German international midfielder Weigl is a recent arrival at Benfica, having only joined from Borussia Dortmund in January. Serbian winger Zivkovic, meanwhile, was signed from FK Partizan in 2016.

Leaders Benfica's disappointing draw - their third in succession - against Tondela was their first match since March, with Portugal's Primeira Liga given the green light to resume behind closed doors from June 3 following a coronavirus-enforced suspension lasting almost three months.

On Wednesday, FC Porto crashed to a shock defeat at the hands of Famalicao, leaving the title rivals tied on 60 points at the league summit.

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