A Flemish Green MP has called for an urgent parliamentary hearing with the Belgian football league after the hooliganism witnessed in Brussels on Sunday, before and after the match between Anderlecht and Club Brugge.
In the lead-up to the cup final between Club Brugge and RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge supporters attacked shops and citizens in Brussels. The atmosphere was particularly tense, with fireworks thrown at passers-by and shop windows smashed by hooligans.
According to the police, officers had to intervene late into the night due to scuffles between Brussels youths and Bruges supporters, which were started by earlier incidents and provocations involving Bruges supporters in Molenbeek and Jette, as they travelled on foot towards the King Baudouin Stadium.
Following the match, Brugge supporters were attacked by local youths on the metro in retaliation. Club Brugge supporters have been condemned numerous times for racism and violence in the past.
On Monday, Groen condemns the "racist violence" by Brugge supporters in Brussels, and demands a hearing in the Chamber of Representatives, stated Groen MP Matti Vandemaele on Monday.
"The violence, destruction, and racism displayed by the hooligans in a Brussels residential area are unacceptable. This has nothing to do with sport and is pure terror," the MP added.
Police pictured at an Anderlecht supporters village at the Atomium, before the final of the 'Croky Cup' Belgian cup, between Club Brugge and RSC Anderlecht, Sunday 04 May 2025. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
The party seeks to curb such behaviour and stop these incidents. The MP, who is a KV Kortrijk season ticket holder and supporter, wants action from Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V).
"Ministers Quintin and Verlinden respond rather tepidly to repeated questions on tackling misconduct in and around our stadiums; the stricter football law is their constant answer. Yesterday clearly demonstrated that this tightened law does not address the existing problems. Additional action is needed," the MP continued.
Vandemaele believes clubs should also take action. "Clubs often know the offenders, they know which so-called ‘supporters’ repeatedly cause problems, yet it keeps happening," said Vandemaele, noting that security checks at stadium entrances should be improved. "As a season ticket holder, I’ve been searched only once in the past three years. This gives hooligans too much leeway to bring prohibited items into the stadium."
The MP also requests more clarity on the functioning of the Brussels police. He questions the lack of a unified command at the police on Sunday evening. "As long as cup matches pose risks, the police should be fully prepared. A unified command should be the minimum requirement in such situations."
Flemish MP and Molenbeek resident Nadia Naji, also a former co-chair of Groen, supports the MP.
"It is outrageous that a group of far-right hooligans can wreak havoc in Brussels, attack shopkeepers, and carry out a racist assault on Molenbeek."
Naji also insists that a unified command is a minimum requirement for such events. She wonders why there is no response yet from mayors Close and Moureaux.
Club Brugge won the game 2-1 to win the Belgian Cup.
