Tilburg mayor Theo Wetering supports the decision of the municipality to let hundreds of Willem II supporters watch the home game against the Scottish club Rangers FC on a square, he says. Broadcasting Brabant.
Images show how the supporters did not adhere to the corona measures, they were close together, screaming and singing. Some supporters also threw fireworks.
The municipality had given permission for a gathering of a thousand people so that supporters could watch the third heat of Willem II in the Europa League on a big screen.
“If you don’t allow it, you run the risk that supporters will manifest themselves in different places in the city,” says Wetering. “By having them watch the game together in a square, it is all easier to control and enforce it. It was a conscious choice.”
Mayor Wetering further calls it a “worthless evening”. The Tilburg team lost 0-4 to the Scottish club Rangers FC.
The mayor does not want to draw any conclusions about the enforcement surrounding the corona rules. “With the knowledge of today and the information we still get from the police, we will certainly look back next week, evaluate and draw our lessons,” says Wetering against Broadcasting Brabant.
Municipality wanted to prevent parties from taking place ‘under the radar’
The municipality of Tilburg had expected that there would be a party on Thursday evening and wanted to anticipate this with the permit. “It is the first time in fifteen years that Willem II is playing at this level again, that includes a party,” said a spokesperson for the municipality of Tilburg.
The permit was issued to prevent illegal parties from being organized. “All people had to provide their details to the organization in advance. In the worst case, that could help with the source and contact investigation. You have no insight into this in people’s homes.”
Supporters who do not keep to the agreements can also be fined afterwards. “We know who is there and we keep an eye on it. If we see that people do not comply with the rules, they may still expect a fine later,” said the municipality.
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