Long-time readers of this brief may have cottoned on to my love of cycling; both a classic and future-proof means of transport, in competition I'm drawn to the endurance that carries one rider across the finish line first. It may also be that the coordination and dexterity that I lack for other sports are less essential for keeping the pedals turning.
But the emphasis that cycling puts on the individual takes the focus away from the collective effort. Though there are teams, they sacrifice themselves for a single rider. The notion of fans coalescing behind a national side is conspicuously absent from the sport.
So whilst I certainly can't offer insight into tactics on a football pitch, I am able to observe the World Cup with a detached and dispassionate curiosity. The spectacle and surrounding discussion I find far more interesting than the action on the field (apologies to more fervent fans).
The attempts to separate politics from football have been especially remarkable but seem inevitably futile. Qatar has gone to great length and expense to suppress criticism of its human rights record. And players themselves have come under fire for taking a stance on these issues or historically for straying into other political matters (Conservative politicians complained about Gary Lineker highlighting issues it deems "too woke", such as LGBT rights).
And so Belgium's unexpected loss to Morocco last night was perhaps likely to cause a stir both on and off the pitch. Unfortunately, celebrations of the ecstatic winners clashed with a heavy police presence resulting in aggression in central Brussels as a belligerent minority confronted riot police armed with batons and water cannons.
Even more regrettable (though also not unpredictable) was the alacrity of some far-right political camps to frame the unrest as a call for anti-immigration sentiment. Whilst the Mayor of Brussels and politicians within the Federal Government were quick to condemn the violence but careful to distinguish the perpetrators from the Moroccan community (who celebrated benignly for the main part), Vlaams Belang jumped at the chance to promote their nationalist agenda.
Beyond physical accomplishment, sport has historically shown its power in tackling stigma and unveiling racism. No excuses need be made for yesterday's violence, but it also shines a light on discrimination in society. Yes, we should condemn the hooliganism. But if anything stands in the way of a culturally rich and cohesive society it is the prejudice that seeks justification in events like last night's. Football's just football.
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1. Sunday football riots: Journalists attacked and 11 arrests
The riots that broke out in central Brussels on Sunday following Belgium's 2-0 loss to Morocco led to 11 arrests and left considerable damage to public and private property. Three journalists were also physically assaulted during the violence. Read more.
2. Holidays in 2023: How many you get and how best to use them
As with many things in Belgium, how many holidays employees are legally entitled to can appear complicated. Here's a rundown of how many you should be getting, and how to best organise them in 2023. Read more.
3. Consecutive railway strikes to disrupt train traffic this week
Belgian rail traffic will be disrupted during this week, as two separate strike actions will take place in the coming days as rail unions will form a common front and strike on Monday to Thursday night, while conductors have called for another 48-hour strike from Wednesday to Friday. Read more.
4. Brussels Metro stations to become more accessible for people with disabilities
Practical studies have shown that it can be extremely difficult for people with disabilities to get around Brussels on public transport, however, an increasing number of stations are becoming more accessible. Read more.
5. Corendon expands at Brussels Airport following issues at Schiphol
From spring 2023, tour operator Corendon will operate more flights from Brussels Airport than it did last summer, partly to avoid more of the chaos it experienced at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam last summer. Read more.
6. Internet access continues to expand across Belgium
The number of people living in Belgium who have never used the internet in the past three months continues to decrease. Among households with children, they practically all have access to the internet. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: Bellerose
From the moment it opened its first store at the North Sea coast, Belgian brand Bellrose has developed a relaxed beachfront look with a hint of the Hamptons. Read more.
