Social media videos show chaos in Brussels after rival football fans clash
Rival football fans clash in Brussels ahead of a UEFA Conference League match between Anderlecht and Swiss side Young Boys in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack for an incident before the first leg during of which around 40 supporters of the Belgian team were attacked at a bar in Bern.
A group of hooligans, many of whom are masked, are said to have caused extensive damage to a brasserie in the Belgian capital, with videos circulating on social media detailing the violent incident in which chairs and tables were thrown during the melee.
The incident led to 23 Swiss nationals being “administratively stoppedby local police, with some found in possession of brass knuckles ahead of what appeared to be a pre-planned confrontation.
The police have also pledged to prosecute any Anderlecht supporters who break the law.
The analysis of the video footage is currently underway with the aim of identifying possible culprits.
« At first I thought it was a terrorist attackBrewery employee Karim Khey told Euronews.
« I was very scared“, he said, adding that the premises had suffered extensive damage and that customers had since beenscaredby violence.
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The art deco stained glass windows of the building, classified as a historical monument for more than 20 years, were almost completely destroyed following the crash.
A Brussels police spokesperson said the damage was caused « following a clash between supporters of the two clubs”.
Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, arrived at the scene soon after and took pity on the owner of the brewery, who local outlet La Dernier Heure said was in shock after the attack.
Anderlecht eventually won the game after a penalty shootout on Thursday night after the aggregate score was tied at one goal apiece after the home and away game.
