Supporters of Club Brugge have accepted the decision by Anderlecht’s mayor to ban them from attending Sunday’s match against RSC Anderlecht, following the incidents in Brussels for the Belgian Cup final.
The announcement was made in a press release from supporters’ groups The Locals FCB 78 and Supporters Federation Club Brugge KV on Wednesday.
While expressing their deep disappointment with mayor Fabrice Cumps’ stance, the supporters’ clubs decided not to appeal the decision to the Council of State after careful consideration.
They believe that overturning the decision could escalate tensions and cause harm to innocent people. They emphasised that football should remain a sporting event free from violence.
Following the cup final between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge on Sunday, 4 May, violent incidents occurred in the capital. Bruges hooligans vandalised shops in Molenbeek and Jette and attacked residents, while Brugge supporters were later assaulted in the Brussels metro.
As a result, mayor Fabrice Cumps decided last week to ban all away supporters from the match on 18 May.
The Brugge supporters’ club hired lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge to challenge the decision, arguing it imposed unduly harsh measures on Club Brugge supporters who were not involved in the incidents cited by the mayor. However, no further legal action will be pursued.
