Standard Liege fans in hot water over banner
BRUSSELS — The Belgian authorities and the country’s football federation are seeking action against Standard Liege fans who displayed a massive banner showing a drawing of a beheaded Anderlecht player on Sunday, ahead of their weekend match.
BRUSSELS — The Belgian authorities and the country’s football federation are seeking action against Standard Liege fans who displayed a massive banner showing a drawing of a beheaded Anderlecht player on Sunday, ahead of their weekend match.
The banner reading “Red or Dead” referred to the Standard colours and also showed a drawing of a masked man with a huge knife and the head of Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour, who used to play for Standard before moving to their arch-rivals Anderlecht.
The display caused much uproar and the Interior Ministry said it is considering sanctions of as much as a five-year stadium ban and a fine of €5,000 (S$7,500). Foreign Minister Didier Reynders called the banner “tasteless, stupid and unacceptable”.
Defour was sent off in the match, which Standard won 2-0. AP