Shocking moment terrified child watches on as riot police batter his father with a baton and assault his grandfather at football match in Portugal

  • Child screams as father is beaten with a baton and grandfather is punched
  • Portuguese prosecutors are investigating a policeman who attacked men
  • Happened at Guimaraes stadium, where Benfica won Portuguese league
  • Riot police had to deal with supporters on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday

This is the shocking moment a terrified child screaming 'dad' is grabbed by riot police as his father is beaten with a baton and his elderly grandfather is punched outside a football stadium in Portugal.

Prosecutors in the country are investigating a policeman who attacked the men outside Guimaraes stadium in north Portugal, where Benfica had just won the Portuguese league title.

Police approached Jose Magalhaes, his two sons and his father, as Benfica's celebrations turned ugly when riot police dealt with supporters on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday.

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Riot police: An officer grabs the child who has just witnessed his father and grandfather being assaulted

Riot police: An officer grabs the child who has just witnessed his father and grandfather being assaulted

Prosecutors in the country are investigating a policeman who attacked the family outside Guimaraes stadium
Jose Magalhaes being hit with a baton

Prosecutors in the country are investigating a policeman who attacked the men outside Guimaraes stadium

Jose Magalhaes is detained by police officers after being attacked in front of his nine-year-old son on Sunday

Jose Magalhaes is detained by police officers after being attacked in front of his nine-year-old son on Sunday

Mr Magalhaes said police had allowed him and his sons, who were wearing Benfica jerseys, to leave the stadium before other fans because the children were being crushed. 

Video footage shows the family by a low wall, where one child is sitting and drinking a bottle of water as police held rival fans inside the stadium to avoid clashes in surrounding streets.

An officer questions Mr Magalhaes, then punches his elderly father before using a truncheon to beat Mr Magalhaes, who was on the ground, while his nine-year-old child screamed 'dad'.

Another policeman, wearing riot gear and carrying a shield, grabs the child to keep him away from the scene.

Comforting: A officer, wearing riot gear and carrying a shield, keeps the crying child away from the scene 

Comforting: A officer, wearing riot gear and carrying a shield, keeps the crying child away from the scene 

Mr Magalhaes said the police had been kind to him and his family by allowing them to leave the stadium early

Mr Magalhaes said the police had been kind to him and his family by allowing them to leave the stadium early

On Monday, Mr Magalhaes (pictured on the ground) told reporters outside a Guimaraes court that the policeman asked him why he had taken his children to a football game where he knew there could be trouble

On Monday, Mr Magalhaes (pictured on the ground) told reporters outside a Guimaraes court that the policeman asked him why he had taken his children to a football game where he knew there could be trouble

The district prosecutor said it has opened an investigation into alleged abuse of power. The government department that oversees the police also said it is investigating police actions at the stadium.

On Monday, Mr Magalhaes told reporters outside a Guimaraes court that the policeman asked him why he had taken his children to a football game where he knew there could be trouble. 

Mr Magalhaes said he replied that the police should be more concerned about people getting crushed inside the stadium, at which point the policeman assaulted him.

Mr Magalhaes said the policeman alleged in evidence presented to the court that Mr Magalhaes spat at him - something he denied. He said the police had been kind to him and his family by allowing them to leave the stadium early.

Benfica fans celebrate winning the Primeira Liga title on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday evening with the squad (bottom right)

Benfica fans celebrate winning the Primeira Liga title on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday evening with the squad (bottom right)

Benfica's celebrations were held at their iconic Marques de Pombal Square in Lisbon where more than 500,000 are believed to have turned up

Benfica's celebrations were held at their iconic Marques de Pombal Square in Lisbon where more than 500,000 are believed to have turned up

Benfica fans clash with police during their celebrations at the Marques de Pombal Square after the team clinched the title in Portugal

Benfica fans clash with police during their celebrations at the Marques de Pombal Square after the team clinched the title in Portugal

Benfica fans clash with police duing what was supposed to be a time of celebration for the club after clinching the title

Benfica fans clash with police duing what was supposed to be a time of celebration for the club after clinching the title

Benfica said it would invite Mr Magalhaes and his sons to watch the final game of the season at its stadium in Lisbon next weekend, and the two children will go on to the field for the presentation of the league trophy.

Meanwhile, the club has criticised some of its fans, who pelted police with bottles and stones during celebrations in Lisbon. Riot police moved in to clear streets after midnight as violence erupted.

Benfica retained the Portuguese title on Sunday with a game to spare by drawing 0-0 with Vitoria Guimaraes away from home, while rivals Porto were held 1-1 at Belenenses. 

Benfica  fans are forced back by police as the celebrations began to turn sour on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday evening

Benfica fans are forced back by police as the celebrations began to turn sour on the streets of Lisbon on Sunday evening

Benfica's celebrations for their first consecutive Primeira Liga titles since 1984 turned ugly when riot police were forced to deal with fans

Benfica's celebrations for their first consecutive Primeira Liga titles since 1984 turned ugly when riot police were forced to deal with fans

People threw bottles and stones toward riot police as they clash with Benfica supporters on the streets of Lisbon

People threw bottles and stones toward riot police as they clash with Benfica supporters on the streets of Lisbon

It should have been a time to congratulate the team  but these remarkable photographs show how scenes soon turned sour

It should have been a time to congratulate the team but these remarkable photographs show how scenes soon turned sour

Benfica  fans clash with riot police during Sunday evening's celebrations after the team won the 34th title in their history

Benfica fans clash with riot police during Sunday evening's celebrations after the team won the 34th title in their history

One man is pictured being pushed away from a building during clashes with police in Lisbon on Sunday

One man is pictured being pushed away from a building during clashes with police in Lisbon on Sunday

Portuguese riot police move a man during clashes with Benfica supporters after an arranged celebration in downtown Lisbon

Portuguese riot police move a man during clashes with Benfica supporters after an arranged celebration in downtown Lisbon

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