Patro Eisden is having a great season. In the Challenger Pro League, the club is fighting to secure a place in the play-offs and, last week, they also created a surprise in the Croky Cup. With a big 4-1 victory against Charleroi, Patro qualified for the round of 16, where they will face Club Brugge.
Patro Eisden “pulls out all the stops” against Charleroi
Despite this strong performance, attention quickly focused on the way Patro greeted his opponent. After the match, Rik De Mil, Charleroi coach, revealed that his team had received a less than courteous welcome in Maasmechelen. The players were allocated a single changing room, heated to 30 degrees, and their toilets were even temporarily closed.
Patro coach Stijn Stijnen brushed aside De Mil’s criticism, calling it “the complaints of a sore loser” while not denying the facts. “It is up to us to make the situation uncomfortable for the adversary. We have done everything within our means,” he said.
Stijnen sanctioned for his “blunders”
However, these actions will now cost Stijnen and his club dearly. According to The Latest Newsthe federal prosecutor’s office decided to prosecute both Stijnen and Patro. A fine of 2,500 euros is required for the coach, while the club could have to pay 5,000 euros.
“This is an affront to fair match preparation between two teams,” justifies the federal prosecutor’s office. “Everything is done to disrupt the opponent’s balance in an unsporting manner, breaking their physical and mental preparation. It goes without saying that this kind of spectacle tarnishes the image of Belgian football, of the Royal Belgian Union of football companies and the Pro League.”
