Seven-minute match rekindles debate over fan sanctions in Belgian football

20 October 2025

On Monday afternoon, Belgium’s top football league witnessed its shortest match ever: a seven-minute game between Standard de Liège and Royal Antwerp FC, played in an empty stadium. The match was originally halted on Friday evening due to misconduct by home fans, reigniting debate on the fairness of rules regarding fan misbehaviour.

The Pro League clash between Standard de Liège and Royal Antwerp FC was halted last Friday in the 87th minute after misconduct by home fans. Standard supporters repeatedly threw cups and other projectiles onto the pitch, one of which struck referee Lothar D’Hondt. When play stopped, Standard led 1–0 thanks to an early goal scored just 17 seconds after kickoff.

Under a rule introduced in the 2023–2024 season, any match suspended due to crowd trouble is to be resumed on a later date behind closed doors, rather than being forfeited. The measure is intended to prevent fans from deliberately halting games.

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Seven-minute match

But Monday’s resumption at Sclessin Stadium in Liège, lasting just six minutes and 46 seconds, has renewed questions about the regulation. Antwerp, which agreed to complete the fixture only “under explicit reservation” of a later appeal, said the rule risks punishing innocent clubs while rewarding those whose fans misbehave.

"Yesterday’s match proved that this solution does not always have the right effect," Antwerp said in a statement published on Saturday. "It could even set a dangerous precedent."

250 km journey

For a start, Standard’s squad was fully rested when the match resumed on Monday. A stark contrast to Friday, where it was forced to defend its narrow lead with ten tired players. Meanwhile, Antwerp’s players had to travel nearly 250 kilometres to Liège and back, getting stuck in traffic on the way.

Monday's match also did not change the result: Standard won thanks to Friday's early goal. The club could face sanctions for the suspension, amounting to a 50,000 euro fine and three away games without fans. But that would be a small price to pay for securing a victory against one of Belgium's best teams.

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