Antwerp fans face hefty penalties after flare incident: “This cannot be tolerated”

Antwerp fans who threw flares into the Club Brugge end face severe punishment. The club itself could also be sanctioned.

After Denis Odoi was sent off, the situation escalated. Fireworks were launched from the visiting supporters’ section onto the pitch and some landed in the Club Brugge supporters’ section. Two people were injured.

The match delegate included the incident in his match report and will forward it to the National Chamber of Civil Exclusion and the federal prosecutor. Those responsible will be identified and punished. A 10-year stadium ban is looming over their heads.

However, Royal Antwerp FC could also be held liable and face sanctions. This could include a fine, as well as several matches without away fans. The new regulations are clear: if a match has to be interrupted, the club faces a three-match away ban without supporters.

The question now is whether the match was actually temporarily interrupted due to these incidents, as at that point, play had not yet resumed following Odoi’s red card, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

“This behaviour is unacceptable. The safety of supporters and players has been compromised and this must be punished. Those who act in this way are not welcome in our stadiums,” said Pro League CEO Lorin Parys.