In Belgium, the kick-off between Genk and Utrecht was postponed by 53 minutes after the police evacuated more than 300 supporters of the away team in the Cegeka Arena shortly before the start of the match.
According to Belga news agency, officers intervened due to security concerns after discovering that a group of Genk fans had entered the department without completing identity checks or security screenings – a feat that local police said was achieved by climbing over barriers. The removed fans were no longer allowed to enter the stadium and the match eventually went ahead in front of a smaller crowd, with Genk winning 2–0.
In Italy, disorder was reported hours before Celtic’s visit to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna. Italian media said police responded after around a hundred Celtic supporters were involved in an incident near a shopping center on Via Andrea Costa, during which bottles were reportedly thrown at Bologna fans.
Those disturbances took place about two and a half hours before kick-off and left several supporters injured, although authorities have not released official figures. The tension culminated in a difficult match, which ended 2-2, with Celtic reduced to ten men. The result leaves the Scottish side hovering just above the elimination places in 24th position with one match remaining.
Nice’s meeting with Go Ahead Eagles was also briefly disrupted by home fans storming towards the away section, prompting a ‘rapid response’ from riot police.
Order was only restored after the officers positioned themselves inside the away goal for the remainder of the match – with Nice securing a 3-1 win, their first win of the current Europa League campaign.
The three incidents served as an unwelcome reminder of the operational pressures local authorities faced on busy European matchdays, with safety concerns once again encroaching on the competition’s narrative on the pitch.
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at force.l1769174231laboratory1769174231ofdlr1769174231are1769174231sni@g1769174231it’s him.1769174231year1769174231
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