Belgium, faced in recent weeks with an upsurge in incidents in football stadiums, will strengthen its legislation against hooliganism, announced Monday the Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden.
«The increased risk of arrests, the toughening of sanctions (against violent fans, editor’s note) and the strengthening of access control (to stadiums) should make it possible to banish hooligans from stadiums“said the minister in a press release.
And “draft“of law which will be submitted to the Council of Ministers provides in particular to extend the duration of the stadium ban”to a maximum of ten years per offense“, compared to five years currently. The text will then be presented to Parliament.
In recent weeks, two Pro League matches could not be completed: Anderlecht-Standard de Liège on October 24 and Charleroi-FC Mechelen this Saturday were stopped following the throwing of smoke bombs and various objects from the stands.
Other matches have been the scene of similar events since the start of the season.
«I was shocked last weekend when I saw the images of several football stadiums. A few supporters endanger the safety of many people. The strengthening of the football law is therefore absolutely necessaryinsisted Ms. Verlinden.
This legislative strengthening makes clubs more responsible, which must “guarantee the reputation of their club, and that of Belgian football in general“, According to the press release.
The clubs “will be punished more severely if deficiencies are found in their camera systems, if they do not respect the regulations relating to the sale of tickets or if they do not take sufficient precautions to ban the use of pyrotechnic material“, continues the press release.