UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Belgium tightens hooligan laws

The football authorities in Belgium have been given increased powers to deal with hooligans at matches.

The football authorities in Belgium have been given increased powers to deal with hooligans at matches following the amendment of several articles of the Belgian law on security in football.

Increased powers
The new measures give police and stewards permission to intervene to prevent trouble within a five-kilometre radius of the stadium, while other amendments include the banning of fireworks from inside the ground, with arrest the punishment for disobedience. The new laws apply to anyone over the age of 14.

Immediate impact
The football authorities have also been granted permission to ban offending clubs from using their home stadiums for up to six months, and are now able to exchange information with overseas authorities. The new law, which comes into force with immediate effect, applies to all clubs in the first, second and third divisions.

Wider implications
The measures have been introduced as part of a wider scheme to counteract violence in Belgium, and were in part prompted by the death of an RSC Anderlecht supporter at the hands of KFC Lommelse SK fans in autumn 2001.

Selected for you