Ana Garcia Martins Faces Online Attacks After Publicly Announcing Benfica election Vote
lisbon, Portugal – October 25, 2023, 11:05 AM WEST – Influencer Ana Garcia Martins is experiencing a surge of online harassment following her disclosure of her intended vote in the upcoming Sport Lisboa e Benfica presidential elections. The attacks, occurring across social media platforms, began after Martins revealed her support for João Noronha Lopes, one of the candidates vying for the club’s leadership.
The controversy underscores the intense passion surrounding Benfica’s elections and the increasingly polarized climate within its fanbase. While expressing a political preference is commonplace, Martins’ case highlights the potential for significant backlash when public figures align themselves with specific candidates. The incident raises concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals who engage in political discourse online, particularly within the context of deeply-held affiliations like those associated with major sports clubs. benfica members will cast their votes on October 27, 2023, to determine the club’s next president.
Martins detailed the harassment on her social media accounts, stating she has been subjected to abusive messages and threats. She has not publicly disclosed the specific nature of all threats, but confirmed the volume of negative responses has been significant.
The Benfica elections pit Noronha Lopes against Rui Costa, the current president seeking re-election. The outcome will shape the direction of one of Portugal’s most prominent football clubs, impacting everything from player acquisitions to stadium advancement and overall club strategy.
Correio da Manhã reports that the club has not yet issued a statement regarding the attacks on Martins, but is monitoring the situation. The publication notes its policy of immediately deleting comments that violate its guidelines and automatically hiding all comments one week after publication.
