Beerschot will host its upcoming cup fixture against Anderlecht on October 18 without any extra supporters in the Olympisch Stadion after local authorities denied permission to reopen Tribune 4, Het Laatste Nieuws reported.
The decision leaves both Tribune 4 and the home section of Tribune 2 closed to supporters due to unresolved security shortcomings. While the visiting supporters’ section in Tribune 2 remains operational, the broader stadium areas will stay shut for home fans during the knockout clash.
Stadium Safety Failures Fuel Ongoing Closure
The local police issued a negative advisory regarding Tribune 4 after recent test openings exposed severe gaps in the club’s security organization.
During trial openings in September, authorities observed that several evacuation gates were left unstaffed and could not be opened immediately in an emergency. Assigned staff members frequently lacked adequate familiarity with standard safety procedures.
The organizational strain became glaring during a home fixture against Lierse on September 11, which Beerschot won 3–1. During that match, inadequate crowd management and blocked access routes delayed emergency interventions by police and medical personnel, alongside separate incidents involving supporters.
History of the Olympisch Stadion Sanctions
The restrictions stem from an ongoing enforcement process that began in May 2025, when the local mayor imposed mandatory safety conditions for the operation of the Olympisch Stadion. Because safety officials determined that progress stalled, authorities ordered the closure of Tribune 2 and Tribune 4 to home fans in August 2025.
Beerschot attempted to rectify the situation by scheduling test events in September, hoping to demonstrate compliance and secure a permanent reopening. However, the resulting police reports confirmed that the required safety benchmarks had not been met.
Steward Training Requirements Delay Resolution
Security services maintain that lifting the bans requires Beerschot to recruit and train a sufficient number of additional stewards. Officials emphasized that this process cannot be resolved simply by gathering volunteers on short notice, as prospective stewards must complete mandatory training programs before they can be deployed at official fixtures.
With the cup fixture approaching, no adjustments will be made to the current stadium capacity. Beerschot must continue operating under restricted crowd limits until the club fully resolves its staffing deficits and satisfies all municipal safety protocols.
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