Chaos erupted at a Belgian second division fixture on Saturday as a shocking act of fan violence forced officials to abandon the match between RFC Liège and Beveren in unprecedented circumstances.
Plastic Cup Incident Sparks Mayhem
The dramatic scenes unfolded during the second half at the Stade de la Frontière when an irate supporter launched a plastic cup from the stands, striking referee Nicolas Laforge directly. The projectile throw immediately halted play as players from both teams looked on in disbelief.
Officials had no choice but to suspend the match with RFC Liège leading 1-0 at the time of the incident. The decision to abandon the game entirely came after extensive discussions between match officials and security personnel.
Growing Concerns Over Fan Behaviour
This alarming incident represents another worrying chapter in Belgian football, where fan behaviour has become an increasing concern for authorities. Just last month, a top-flight match between Anderlecht and Genk was similarly suspended due to crowd trouble.
The Belgian football federation now faces mounting pressure to implement stricter measures to protect match officials and players from such dangerous behaviour.
Official Statements and Consequences
RFC Liège management quickly condemned the actions of the individual responsible, stating they would work closely with authorities to identify the culprit. "This type of behaviour has no place in football and undermines the spirit of the game," a club spokesperson commented.
Beveren officials expressed disappointment that the match couldn't be completed, but acknowledged the referee's decision was necessary for safety reasons.
The Belgian football authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident, with potential points deductions and stadium bans likely consequences for the home club.
