Belgium announce stadium switch
Thursday, May 8, 2003
Article summary
Belgium's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Andorra in June will take place in Ghent rather than Antwerp.
Article body
The Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) has announced that the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying match against Andorra on 11 June will take place at the Jules Ottenstadion in Ghent rather than in Antwerp as originally planned.
Mayor's decision
The Group 8 fixture was due to be played at the Olympisch stadium home of KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen, but the city's mayor, Leona Detiège, decided that the match could not go ahead through fear of violence between rival fans from Germinal Beerschot and R. Antwerp FC.
Ghent move
The decision prompted the URBSFA to release a statement saying: "We do not understand why a city such as Antwerp cannot guarantee the safety of fans in a stadium which only holds 12,000 spectators." However, Ghent mayor Frank Beke, the city's police department and KAA Gent have all approved the playing of the game in their city.
Crucial game
After four matches, Belgium are third in Group 8 with six points, trailing Croatia by a point and Bulgaria by four. Their next game is away to the section leaders on 7 June ahead of the visit of Andorra.
