Incidents during the derby between Antwerp and Beerschot led to the match being stopped. Analyst Peter Vandenbempt strongly criticized the organization around this risky match.
“Only in football is it possible to announce a crime in advance and the competent authorities allow you to act with complete impunity to commit it,” declared Peter Vandenbempt, referring to football supporters. Beerschot that there would be no final whistle in the event of another rout.
This editorialist recognized in the north of the country illustrated his point by making a comparison with a fictitious scenario: “If I had announced that I would set fire to Heysel on Sunday if the Pope did not suit me, could I have calmly sat down in my place on Sunday with a balaclava? I don’t think so.”
The authorities too lax?
He stressed that in other sectors such behavior would never be tolerated, but unfortunately it is still possible in football. Vandenbempt has understanding for the supporters, but has called on the various governments to face their responsibilities.
“The people on site cannot prevent it because they have neither the means nor the necessary powers,” he continued. He denounces the lack of will of the authorities to take the right measures and thus better support the police to prevent people under stadium ban from nevertheless entering the enclosure.
The solution, according to Vandenbempt, is simple and could be quickly implemented: “Five minutes of political courage and the problem can be solved.” He calls for stricter controls and better identification of supporters, to prevent such incidents in the future. “The organization is as porous as a sieve and football can no longer justify it to society.”
