In the 70th minute at Lotto Park, despite a 3-0 score, banners suddenly appeared targeting Olivier Renard and Wouter Vandenhaute. These actions were planned but fell flat due to the flow of the match.
It was quite strange to see the ultras turn against their own direction when their team was playing well and putting on some great football. But these actions were planned in advance, and the Mauves Army like the South Leaders wanted to get their message across at all costs.
The problem is that they are the most passionate supporters, but not the majority of the stadium. The rest of the supporters did not appreciate this attitude and wanted to enjoy the spectacle, in the purest Anderlecht tradition.
Whistles and boos therefore fell from the aisles of the stadium against the ultras, who had already lost a lot of credit in the eyes of “normal” supporters (a term which is not intended to be pejorative, for a “camp” nor for the other) in particular because of the excesses at Real Sociedad. Many had already booked their trips to Riga, Prague or Plzeň and saw their plans fall through.
The vast majority also realize that they are not helping a team in need of confidence by adding fuel to the fire. Even if they do not agree with Wouter Vandenhaute’s decision to appoint Olivier Renard as sporting director, many want to wait to see what he can bring.
A meeting planned for early December with supporters
The new sporting director will only really be able to prove himself in two months, when the winter transfer window begins. This is where he will be evaluated. Until then, the protests will ring hollow, and many supporters understand that too. The message from the ultras has got through: Renard knows that he will not be allowed to make mistakes.
But in the meantime, Wouter Vandenhaute and Olivier Renard have received a reprieve… granted by Lotto Park in its majority. We must not waste this rare opportunity. A meeting is planned between supporters and management during the Fan Council on December 3 (read here) and by then, David Hubert and his troops will have played 5 more matches. If they win the majority, the ultras won’t have much to say…
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