The Pro League is of course not looking favorably on the excesses which hit the stadiums this weekend, in Antwerp as well as in Charleroi. But CEO Lorin Parys does not want to consider the most drastic solution.
The CEO of the Pro League, Lorin Parys, reacted firmly to the excesses of this weekend during Beerschot-Antwerp and Charleroi-Union, and hinted at a possible drastic measure: banning supporters from high-risk matches.
During the Antwerp derby, numerous incidents were reported, despite stricter measures against pyrotechnic equipment. “We saw how dangerous it was this Sunday,” Parys said. The Pro League introduced a system that doubled penalties for misconduct almost everywhere. But the discontent remains. “I will only be satisfied when there are no incidents in all stadiums,” the CEO told Sporza.
To deal with future problems, the Pro League is working on innovative measures.”Together with the Ministry of the Interior and Ghent University, we are investigating how biometrics, such as the Itsme app, can be used to better verify the identity of supporters when they enter the stadiums”, explains Lorin Parys.
However, a much-discussed solution remains to ban supporters from high-risk matches. “For us, it’s always the last option,” emphasizes Parys. He acknowledges that collective punishment for all supporters, including those who behave in an exemplary manner, is far from ideal. “Furthermore, this is a decision that must be made locally, based on a risk assessment by the police.” The CEO of the Pro League recognizes, however, that this measure is increasingly discussed due to repeated excesses.
Frustration in the Pro League is increasing, admits Parys. “We have had enough of this type of behavior and will continue to take action to make every match an enjoyable experience.” The Pro League continues to invest in security and advocates an enjoyable footballing experience in all Belgian stadiums.
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