Benfica give fans reasons to be wedded to the club

A model wears a creation by designer Micaela Oliveira during a fashion show by Benfica at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.
A model wears a creation by designer Micaela Oliveira during a fashion show by Benfica at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

LISBON • Heavily indebted Portuguese football giants Benfica unveiled on Tuesday a collection of wedding dresses which it will sell alongside other club items such as nappies and dog beds.

The club put on display 24 wedding dresses, including several in red - the team's colour - at a fashion show at their Stadium of Light that included an appearance by the club's mascot, an eagle.

The wedding dresses sell for up to €10,000 (S$15,235). The club now has debts of €455 million.

  • €455m

    Debt Portuguese football giants Benfica are mired in.

"Our goal is to accompany the life cycle of our fans and supporters," Benfica's licensing and merchandising manager, Jose Simao, said.

"Just like we have products for babies, like diapers and baby bottles, we have products for all stages of people's lives, for their most important moments."

Among the dozens of items for sale at Benfica's online store are the traditional team jerseys as well as baby pacifiers and nappies, bath towels, bed linen and dog beds.

In addition, Benfica's supporters have since 2012 received a discount on funeral services provided by Portugal's largest network of funeral agencies.

The firm offers the option of the Benfica club anthem being played at funerals.

Benfica, who won a record 35th Portuguese championship in May, posted a record profit of €20.4 million last season.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 13, 2016, with the headline Benfica give fans reasons to be wedded to the club. Subscribe