Jupiler Pro League
Standard and Anderlecht have been punished for the riots in the match on December 7. Both clubs are given one match behind closed doors and three postponed matches in which the hard-core supporters’ boxes are closed. The punishment will take effect from the play-offs and both clubs can still appeal.
After the classic between Anderlecht and Standard in December degenerated into violence for the umpteenth time, both club boards opted to flee ahead. They decided in consultation not to include away fans in mutual matches until next season. In this way, they tried to avert or mitigate a heavy sanction by the Football Association.
The Football Association’s disciplinary board announced his punishment on Friday. In a nuanced argument, the council takes note of the clubs’ decision. But both Anderlecht and Standard had a match postponed behind closed doors due to previous disturbances. That sentence will now be converted into an effective sanction that will take effect within fifteen days. This corresponds to the first matchday of the play-offs.
In addition, the disciplinary council strove for proportionality. The council calls closing the sections “not a punishment”, since the proposal was made by the clubs themselves. Instead, the closure of the hard core sections is ordered for three consecutive home games. The disciplinary board postpones this punishment for one year in the hope that supporters will sensitize each other to prevent the closure of their stands.
For Standard this concerns the boxes A3, B3, C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, H3, I3, D4, E4, F4, for Anderlecht it concerns the boxes S2, S13, N1, N2, N3 and N4.
Standard and Anderlecht will also be fined 10,000 and 7,500 euros respectively. Both clubs have not yet responded to the punishment, but Anderlecht is already considering an appeal.
