Following the events at Standard Liege last week, Club Brugge brought several files before the National Chamber of Civil Exclusions of the KBVB against - in the meantime - 42 'supporters'. Club already proactively excluded these 'supporters' from Club's home and away matches. On the occasion of next Sunday's home match against Antwerp, Club would like to present a state of affairs.
After 42 'supporters' were proactively excluded from Club's home games, representatives of Club Brugge and the supporters' collective North Fanatics met last Friday. In that meeting, Club emphasized that racism and xenophobia have no place within the Blue-Black family, that the supporters involved caused damage to Club on a national and international level, and that Club will hold any collective that allows or stimulates such behavior liable for the damage caused to Club. In addition, it was also communicated that any fan or group wishing to be active or contribute to the atmosphere that is so important to Club - as it has been for many years - will receive all possible support and cooperation. Following that, North Fanatics communicated Sunday that they will cease to exist as a group.
Club wishes to emphasize that it is at no time targeting one specific group but that the police services identified the 42 'supporters' purely on the basis of photo identification. Club will of course also file criminal charges against them and take civil action.
According to Club, the decision to exclude the 42 'supporters' was the only correct one. This opinion is unanimously shared by the vast majority of our supporters. The fact that a few people are now defending these 42 'supporters' via an online hate campaign against Club representatives, or by threatening to take action in the stadium, is particularly unfortunate.
Club therefore calls on all fans who want to support Club - and not use Club as a megaphone for any other ideology - to do so as always with all passion. Any positive initiative to that end will receive all support.
Club Brugge is an inclusive Club where everyone is welcome regardless of origin, color, religion, social class, level of education, sexual orientation or gender, as described in our code of ethics.