Dewael: “Hooligans have to be punished harder”

“Hooligans should be punished a lot harder and clubs have to take their responsibilities”, that’s what minister of Internal Affairs Patrick Dewael says. “A person who attacks a steward gets banned.”


“Someone who wants to get round the ban gets banned for another year. We have to find the persons who give football a bad name’, said Dewael on Sporza. He even went a bit further: “The safety isn’t only a case of the government. It the clubs aren’t responsible enough they will have to pay a part of the bills”

Clubs who are not aware of the safety obligations will be sanctioned more with higher penalties and less capacity. The new measures are a result after conversations with international experts, police, mayors, chairmans and representatives of the KBVB, Profliga and fans.

Set foot on the field will cost 1000 euro and a ban of 2 years. The person who declines the ban risks an imprisonment and a travelban when the team plays abroad. Foreign hooligans who visit our country risk a penalty of 250 euro.