April 23 – The Belgian Pro League have called for the partial reopening of stadiums for the season-ending playoffs, but their requests look unlikely to be met.
Today (Friday April 23), Belgian authorities will once again convene to discuss the current coronavirus restrictions in the country, but even with numbers plateauing restrictions will most likely be maintained until early May at the least.
Despite this the Pro League, the governing body presiding over professional Belgian football, has written to the authorities requesting fans be allowed to attend the playoffs, the season finale that both crowns the national champion and qualifies clubs for next season’s European competitions.
In a statement, the Pro League said: “The [bar] terraces will reopen soon. Just then the most important games of the season will take place. Matches for the title, European places, relegation and promotion. Inevitably, supporters will then head to the stadiums to support their squad and see their heroes.”
“If the stadium gates then have to remain closed, we are actually creating unsafe situations for public health and an extra burden on law enforcement, which is precisely what everyone wants to avoid.”
The Pro League pointed to their rigid health protocols to back their case.
However, Flemish sports minister Ben Weyts has downplayed expectations, saying: “First we need to get more people on the pitch than around it. How many competitions and training sessions have been stopped? Obviously, we all long for sports high masses with a frenzied audience, but first things first.”
Last year, Belgium were the first European nation to take the unprecedented step of cancelling the remainder of the season when the coronavirus began to spread across Europe. In the summer, fans were briefly allowed to return to the stadiums, adhering to social distancing and other sanitary measures, but they were soon banned again as coronavirus numbers began to surge and a second wave engulfed Belgium.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1732511957labto1732511957ofdlr1732511957owedi1732511957sni@o1732511957fni1732511957