More than 60 arrested in violence surrounding Belgian Cup final
Police arrested 63 people in Brussels on Sunday following violence before and after the Belgian Cup final. The match between Club Brugge and RSCA Anderlecht at the King Baudouin stadium sparked clashes between supporters and residents across the capital region.
"After the cup final, the police had to intervene until late into the night to break up riots between Brussels youths and Brugge supporters," police said on Monday.
According to the police, the riots were triggered by earlier incidents involving Club Brugge supporters in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean and Jette, when a group of supporters passed through these municipalities on their way to the stadium.
Videos circulating on social media show shop windows being smashed, street furniture damaged and fireworks thrown into the crowd
Supporters attacked a shop in each municipality, residents were attacked and passers-by were intimidated and spat at. Videos circulating on social media show shop windows being smashed, street furniture damaged and fireworks thrown into the crowd. In post-match incidents on the city's metro system, Brugge supporters were attacked by Brussels youths.
80 injured
According to the Federal Public Service Health, 80 people had to be treated by emergency services, nine of whom were taken to hospital. One supporter suffered serious hand injuries from fireworks.
In total, the police made 61 administrative arrests and two judicial arrests. Several police officers suffered minor injuries, police said. The Cup final also sparked incidents elsewhere in the Belgian capital region, including a fight between supporters at Brussels Central station.
'Pure terror'
Club Brugge condemned the violence and said it would work with the police to identify those involved. The Belgian Pro League also condemned the violence, saying it was "crystal clear that a number of hooligans used the cup final as a pretext to commit organised crime in Brussels".
"The violence, vandalism and racism we saw yesterday from hooligans rampaging through a Brussels residential neighbourhood is unacceptable"
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close on Monday called for a lifetime stadium ban and severe legal sanctions for the "racist football fans" of Club Brugge who attacked shopkeepers and residents. The green party Groen called for an urgent parliamentary hearing with the Pro League in order to further tighten federal football legislation.
"The violence, vandalism and racism we saw yesterday from hooligans rampaging through a Brussels residential neighbourhood is unacceptable. This has nothing to do with sport anymore, it is pure terror," said Groen MP Matti Vandemaele.
Riot police and football fans outside the King Baudouin stadium during the Belgian cup final between Club Brugge and RSC Anderlecht on Sunday 04 May 2025 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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