Club Brugge yesterday won the Belgian cup beating Anderlecht in Brusels 2-1. In a nervous final, the Blues beat their arch-rivals 2-1 thanks to two goals from Vermant. Anderlecht never really managed to counter Brugge’s domination of the match, but twice cried out in vain for a penalty and almost came alongside in a late final offensive.
Club Brugge wins Belgian cup, match marred by violence ahead of clash
Colin Clapson
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Updated:
The cup final was marred by violence ahead of the match when Club Brugge supporters attacked several Brussels business premises. Footage shows violent scenes when it came to a confrontation between local residents and Club supporters.
Footage circulating on social media shows the situation escalating in the Picardstraat near the Gare Maritime in Molenbeek (Brussels): there’s kicking and someone uses a stick as a weapon of attack. At the end of the video a person appears to be lying unconscious in the street. Police are aware of the footage and are investigating.
Other videos show shop windows being smashed, street furniture being damaged and fireworks being thrown into the crowd, creating a very tense atmosphere.
A shopkeeper was reported to have been beaten into a coma, but this turned out not to be the case. "This person is not in a coma," Ilse Van de keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Capital/Elsene police zone said. "But I can confirm that Brugge supporters attacked a business in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek as well as a business in Jette."
According to the public health ministry, by 8pm, 80 people had been treated by the emergency services, nine of whom had to be taken to hospital. One supporter's hand was seriously injured by fireworks.
Reports were drawn up that will be handed over to the public prosecutor's office as soon as possible.
WARNING: VIDEO WITH SHOCKING IMAGES
In all some 60 people were arrested following the violence in the Belgian capital. Brussels police say they had to intervene late into the night on account of ‘riots between local youths and Bruges supporters’. Police drew up reports in all cases. Rioters who were released after questioning may now face punishment later.