Belgian football has had an eventful weekend: in Beerschot a supporter threw a flare into the box of the visiting supporters, in Standard the misbehavior of the Liège fans resulted in a field storm.
“In the 90s there were still fences, so you couldn’t get on the field,” says Arnar Vidarsson in Extra Time. “But big dramas like Hillsborough and the Heysel drama took them away.”
“They are just embarrassing images, we cannot tolerate this. I experienced it in the 90s at Lokeren. I had to talk to the fans as captain.”
“As a player, you have to dare to correct the supporters: “No one asks you to fight for us, that is not supporting”.
Noë Dussenne tried to calm things down, but was immediately whistled. Goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart even showed understanding: “The fans have already been very patient. If you choose a side, you will be reprimanded.”
Wim De Coninck spoke to a security officer who “should have intervened”, but was afraid of repercussions. “She said: “Those supporters all know me and know me live. I cannot intervene”.”
Are the penalties for the incidents too light? The Beerschot supporter would initially receive a stadium ban of 3 months. “We are far too tolerant,” said De Coninck. “In England you are ruined if you try.”
“The clubs also have to act much harder against it,” adds Van der Elst. “If you work so hard not to play in empty stadiums, then it must also be done safely. You are responsible for that.”
The fact that coach Luka Elsner showed understanding for the Liège fans afterwards is a bridge too far for Filip Joos. “Understanding goes too far,” he said. “You can keep quiet, but you can’t show understanding. That means we have to understand these incidents with any team that performs below expectations.”
