The coming of Olympique de Marseille to Brussels is a sporting event. The Marseille club had in fact not set foot in the capital since October 17, 1962 and a match in the Villes des Foires cup against… Union Saint-Gilloise. But it is also a security challenge. Next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., the U19 teams will face each other in the Youth League, at the Marien stadium, located in the town of Forest. While at 9 p.m., the first teams will face off at Lotto Park in Anderlecht. Restrictions will apply around the two stadiums from December 8 at 9 a.m. until December 10 at 8 a.m., the match being classified as risky. For what reason? Because the police fear clashes between groups of supporters. Not particularly between Saint-Gillois and Marseille fans, we are told. But rather between supporters of the RSCA, who would be close to those of Olympique de Lyon, and therefore those of OM.
Concretely, the surroundings of the two enclosures will be prohibited to people who do not present tickets for the match. Concerning the Youth League, a partial closed session has been declared for Marseille supporters. “Union supporters will be able to attend,” underlines Maarten Verdoodt, USG communications manager. “And we have provided 40 tickets for the family of the Marseille U19 players so that they can come and see the match. »
While for the evening meeting, “a combi-bus is obligatory for OM supporters, with a meeting point at the border. De Lijn shuttles will transport union supporters from the Marien Stadium to Lotto Park. And vice versa.”
Above all, the Union wants to reassure its own supporters. “It is important to stop creating unnecessary worry around this meeting. It is certainly a risky match but the measures have been put in place precisely to guarantee everyone’s safety,” continues Maarten Verdoodt. “In addition, the police services have sufficient manpower to supervise the meeting and no threat has been identified to date targeting unionist supporters. »
May sport, and nothing but sport, emerge victorious.