Building on this great first experience, Patrick wanted to do it again, with his family and with more resources. I asked the Bhoys (supporters club) if they agreed. And it was yes. I also surveyed the stewards who were not open to the idea. So Patrick buys an elf costume for his daughter and a reindeer costume for one of his friends. He was ready to put on the Santa Claus costume again. “I bought a hundred yellow and blue lollipops to distribute to the children who are always at the edge of the field. It was just to create a good atmosphere.”
To help those close to Luna, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, the association of unionist supporters Parepour is mobilizing: “The Union is a family”
Yes, but here it is, perhaps out of an excess of politeness, Patrick warns management of the small action he wanted to put in place during the USG/Club Bruges match this Sunday at Parc Duden. He asked to be able to enter the stadium with the lollipops and, if possible, to have access to the pitch to greet the players dressed as the boss of Lapland.
“In Eupen, everyone recognized me”
And then it's a cold shower. The club responded with an article in the internal regulations: “In the stadium, holders of an access ticket or special authorization are strictly prohibited from disguising themselves or camouflaging themselves in such a way that they are no longer recognizable. In addition, the land is one of the areas closed to the public, we cannot accept this request despite the festive period.”
“I really showed my credentials, deplores the historic supporter of Marien. Firstly, I am recognizable. In Eupen last year, everyone recognized me. In addition, in my message, I even went so far as to give them my national registry number. So he could very easily identify me.”
But no. Management remains inflexible despite last year's event and a call from a steward manager to management to explain that Patrick is well known to the unionist stands, Santa will not have his entry ticket to the Marien this Sunday.
“I could try anyway, but that would expose me to a stadium ban and put the stewards in a bad position. That's not the goal. I might do something in front of the stadium before the match (as advised by management) but it forces me to change, it's not practical. I know that this is a rather trivial anecdote, concedes bear it, but it's still proof that management is locked in a bubble of rigidity and it's annoying. I doubt this kind of thing will reach the ears of the president (Alex Muzio). He is English and in England there are only Santa Clauses in the stands.”
Contacted this Friday afternoon, the club did not respond to our requests.
