While the campsite did not meet their expectations, the supporters are demanding compensation. The RBFA and Sun Reizen had already been acquitted before the Brussels Court of Appeal. On the occasion of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the first tournament in which the Red Devils had taken part in a long time, the RBFA organized a supporters’ camp, called Devillage. To do this, the two partners had teamed up with the Dutch company Onranjencamping, used to setting up trips for fans of the Dutch national team. The local operator was Camping Clube Do Brazil.
The Belgian Union had sold this fan campsite in Brazil as luxury accommodation, with high quality food, electricity and wifi. Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters had then spent up to 5,000 euros per person for a nine-night all-inclusive stay, flight included.
On their arrival, the reality was unfortunately much less rosy and several complaints were quickly made: the sanitary facilities were unsanitary and dirty, the wi-fi connection was not always available and the electricity deficient.
Test-Achats then initiated civil proceedings on behalf of the 206 supporters, but this was delayed by another criminal complaint that a few supporters had filed. The consumer organization is a civil party on behalf of 206 supporters. At first instance, the Belgian Union and Sun Reizen were sentenced by the criminal court to a fine. However, the latter two were acquitted on appeal and Test-Achats continued the case in civil matters.
“The court considers that the RBFA and Sun Reizen are responsible for the organization of the trip and that they must each vouch for all the losses suffered by the travelers”, reacted the judge of the Dutch-speaking court of first instance of Brussels Els De Breucker. “The court, however, did not fully respond to the supporters’ claims. A full refund of the travel sum with additional compensation, as initially requested by the supporters, is not considered justified. There were no complaints. about flights and transfers “.
“We are pleased to note that the court followed our vision and that each victim now receives compensation amounting to 65% of the accommodation costs, and this because of the poor execution of the travel contract”, reacted Test -Purchases. “Since RBFA and Sun Reizen only wanted to compensate for 30% of the stay, this is a result we can be happy with.”
The indemnities granted vary from a few hundred euros to amounts of more than 1,700 euros, plus interest. The court also ruled that Union and Sun Reizen were each 50% liable. The court’s decision can still be appealed.
