A Belgian Pro League match between Standard Liège and Royal Antwerp was abandoned in the 87th minute after referee Lothar D'Hondt was struck by a plastic cup thrown from the stands. Standard were leading 1-0 at the time of the incident at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Friday.
The remaining three minutes of the match will be played behind closed doors on Monday afternoon, in accordance with a ruling introduced by the Belgian Pro League in 2022. The league stated: 'This new rule was introduced because we are pro-football and pro-competition. Fans can no longer take control. The sporting principle prevails: the outcome of a match is decided on the pitch, not on the court.'
Standard's sporting director, Marc Wilmots, a former Belgium national team manager, criticised D'Hondt's decision. He told broadcaster Dazn: 'The players fight all match, and because someone throws something, you blow the whistle? I'm disappointed, especially for Belgian football. Now the referees are the stars. It's starting to get on my nerves.'
The club identified the supporter responsible and said they 'will initiate civil stadium ban proceedings against him, as well as an action for compensation'. D'Hondt had already halted play for 10 minutes in the first half and instructed the stadium announcer to urge fans to stop throwing cups onto the pitch.
Standard, who took an early lead through Rafiki Saïd but were reduced to ten men after Adnane Abid's red card for a dangerous tackle, sit ninth in the Belgian Pro League. Antwerp are in 13th place.
