Football fans urged to keep firecrackers out of stands

Football fans urged to keep firecrackers out of stands

Belgium’s Pro League on Tuesday appealed to fans not to set off firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in stadiums. "Football is synonymous with passion, tension and sports exploits in the dying stages of a match,” the League said in a press release. “Like all fans, whether present in the stadia or in front of their small screens, the Pro League has also appreciated the exciting matches of the past few weekends.”

Noting that the excitement will increase in the runup to the start of the playoffs - on 29 March -, the League stressed that “passion on the ground should not be transformed into dangerous situations off the field.”

"With an eye to the preparation of the playoffs, the Pro League, in consultation with the URBSFA (Belgian Soccer Union) would again like to launch an appeal against the use of Bengal lights and other pyrotechnic devices in our stands,” the League stressed. “Not endangering other supporters must absolutely become an imperative for our clubs and their supporters.”

The Pro League also urged the media not to treat the use of such devices as linked to the passion and the atmosphere of the matches. Firecrackers and squibs were dangerous, and have on occasion caused severe injury, including during this season, to supporters, press photographers, journalists and others.

“These devices have no place in the stadium,” it said. Our football, our teams and our supporters do not need it to give of their best in the next few weeks.


The Brussels Times


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