Belgian clubs to pay police costs
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Article summary
Belgian clubs have been hit by a new law stating they must pay for match-day security at their stadiums.
Article body
Police expenses
Under the new law, which will come into effect on 1 August, local authorities will have the right to charge clubs for all police expenses incurred - including wages - while supervising matches in the top two divisions.
Financial pressure
The Belgian Football Association fears the measure will increase the financial pressure on clubs and has written to Belgium's minister for the interior asking the government to reconsider its decision.
'Very bad for clubs'
Meanwhile, Robert Sterckx, secretary of the Belgian Professional League, said the move "will be very bad for clubs if put into effect". "All the clubs are struggling to meet their budgets and now we face paying more charges," he added.
Match-day security
Although RSC Anderlecht are charged between €500,000 and €750,000 for match-day security by the local government in Brussels, most clubs currently pay nothing for the policing of matches.
Government talks
"We are already paying taxes to our council for match security," Anderlecht manager Michel Verschueren said. "We have to talk with the government. Anderlecht are paying a lot, but we also organise important games. I do not want the others to pay so much."
