Sport

Standard fans have had enough

The crisis at Standard de Liège is all but complete. Sunday’s match against Zulte Waregem was ended early after angry Standard fans threw seating and other objects onto the pitch for a second time. Referee Bart Vertenten brought the match to an end around a minute early as the crowd trouble that had marred the game boiled over again.

Sun 19 Oct 2014 17:13

Previously the match was suspended for 10 minutes after some Standard fans had hurled missiles onto the pitch. The 2-1 result wan only bottom Club Zulte Waregem’s second win of the season. They are now level on points with the second bottom side Cercle Brugge with 9 points from 11 games.

Many Standard fans only entered the stands 15 minutes into the game as an expression of their displeasure at their teams run of poor league form that has seen them take just 12 points from the first 11 games of the season.

The early chances were for Zulte Waregem. However Sylla showed Standard some mercy. Zulte Waregem took the lead on 21 minutes after a blunder by the Standard keeper Kawashima allowed Bongonda (photo) to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

Standard deserved a penalty for a foul on Labor. However, the referee waved play on. The Standard supporters continued to boot their own players as their frustration grew.

The second half saw Standard create (but not convert) chances. Substitute Igor De Camargo came close to scoring early on. Meanwhile, the situation on the terraces was getting worse with Standard supports storming the main stand.

The referee adjourned the match to allow things to calm down. After 10 minutes the match resumed and Troisi made it 2-0 to Zulte Waregem on 88 minutes. Mpoku made it 2-1 two minutes later. The referee ended the match before the allotted amount of injury time had elapsed with a final score of 2-1 to Zulte Waregem.