Following the violence before and after Sunday’s Belgian Cup Final between Club Brugge and RSC Anderlecht, the Mayor of Anderlecht Fabrice Cumps (Francophone socialist) has banned Club Brugge fans from attending the First Division Champions’ Play-off match against RSC Anderlecht on 18 May.
Ahead of last Sunday’s Cup Final a group of Club Brugge supporters racially abused and physically attacked local residents in areas of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Jette as they made their way on foot from the centre of Brussels to the King Boudewijn Stadium where the cup final took place. Property was also attacked and vandalised.
After the match Club Brugge fans were attacked by local youths as they made their way back to the railway station or to their vehicles.
In order to prevent further trouble, the Mayor of Anderlecht Fabrice Cumps has decided not to allow Club Brugge supporters to attend the match against RSC Anderlecht in Anderlecht on 18 May. In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Cumps said that he had taken the decision "Given the unacceptable behaviour by so-called supporters in the run-up to the Belgian Cup Final and the risk to public order that are posed”.
"The aim of this decision is to protect both local residents and supporters of RSCA. There can be no question of a repeat of the shocking scenes that we saw last weekend occurring in our municipality”.
Mr Cumps has asked the Brussels South Local Police Service and RSC Anderlecht to collaborate with the municipal authorities to work out a plan to ensure that the ban is effectively enforced.
Club Brugge "regrets unilateral decision"
In a statement Club Brugge says that it strongly disagrees with the decision. "According to our information the decision was taken against the advice of both clubs and the Bruges and Brussels South Local Police Services.
However, Mr Cumps denies that he has acted against the advice of the police.