Fivefold increase in stadium bans for football hooligans in two years
Around 200 hooligans were banned from football stadiums in Belgium last season, Het Laatste Nieuws reports, a fivefold increase in two years.
In the 2021-22 season, in line with previous years, clubs imposed around 40 bans on extreme supporters. The trend has accelerated, however: in the 2022-23 season, there were 174 bans, increasing to 200 in 2023-24. There are no figures yet for this season, but they are expected to be similar.
Two years ago, a security plan was put in place to make it easier for clubs to issue bans of up to 10 years immediately after identifying the people involved. They previously had to wait for a decision from the courts or the FPS Home Affairs football unit, which could take up to six months.
The Pro League is considering letting specialist firms monitor compliance with bans using cameras. These checks are proving difficult to carry out, as the police have no resources to do so and stewards have limited powers.
"These individuals damage the club’s image and do not belong in a football stadium, nor in the red and white family"
Meanwhile, Royal Antwerp FC says it “strongly condemns” the behaviour of the fans who set off pyrotechnic devices in the closing stages of Sunday’s league defeat at Club Brugge. It intends to identify and sanction the perpetrators.
Denis Odoi, the former Club Brugge player who now plays for Antwerp, was sent off shortly before the end of the match, which finished 1-0 to Club. Antwerp supporters threw a firework at Club's Gustaf Nilsson, who had just scored the decisive goal. They also threw objects towards supporters in the home stands. Nobody was injured during the incidents.
The Belgian Football Association has also announced it will investigate.
“These individuals damage the club’s image and do not belong in a football stadium, nor in the red and white family,” Royal Antwerp said. “In recent years, the club has invested a lot in creating a safe football environment and being able to identify the correct people. This is done in consultation with all relevant authorities, both within and outside football.”
A firework on the pitch during the match between Club Brugge and Royal Antwerp, 18 August 2024 © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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