A brawl between several dozen supporters of Anderlecht and the Young Boys of Bern, leading to the administrative arrest of twenty-three Swiss fans, broke out on Wednesday evening in the center of Brussels on the eve of the return play-off of the Europa League Conference between both clubs.
According to a spokeswoman for the Brussels police on Thursday, a café in the historic center of the Belgian capital was ransacked “sfollowing a confrontation between supporters of the two clubs».
The ArtDeco windows of the Falstaff, an establishment classified as a historic monument, were the target of chair throwing by around thirty individuals, some wearing hoods.
The burgomaster (mayor) of Brussels, Philippe Close, descended on the scene while the owner of the premises was greatly shocked, one of the servers having believed “in an attack”, according to a testimony delivered to the daily La Dernier Heure.
Anderlecht has the advantage
Twenty-three administrative arrests were made and the arrested Swiss hooligans, on whom the police found brass knuckles, were to be expelled quickly, according to the Brussels authorities who will also take action against the Anderlecht supporters involved.
Analysis of surveillance camera images is in progress.
According to Belgian police, the incident follows a confrontation in the first leg in the Swiss capital, during which around 40 Anderlecht supporters were attacked on the terrace of a bar.
Anderlecht and the Young Boys of Bern meet Thursday evening in the play-off match of the Europa League Conference. Anderlecht won 1-0 in the first leg.
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