Everyone is aware that clubs must take on a whole set of obligations based on the organisation and running of football matches. These obligations cover safety inside and around the stadium, how the players’ travel (and sometimes that of the supporters) is organised… and the smooth running of the game. The latter obligation also involves the behaviour of the spectators during the match.

Football clubs are generally seen by the arbitration courts as being responsible for the behaviour of their fans during both home and away matches.

This obligation is enshrined in Articles 1917 and 1919 of the regulations of the Royal Belgian Football Association (Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association - URBSFA). If these rules are breached, the club may be penalised by a range of sanctions, most often a fine, the non-attribution of points, or one or two matches being played without spectators (in the case of professional...

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