The bourgmestre of Liège, Willy Demeyer (PS), said in several French -speaking daily newspapers that he had not authorized the holding of the meeting. The Belgian Union had however announced the same morning the return of the national selection to the Stade du Standard.
“Our city is under supervision and faces drug addiction problems”
The Liège authorities invoke budgetary and security reasons. “Our city is under supervision and faces drug addiction problems. Football is a considerable financial burden,” said Willy Demeyer. If it remains open to dialogue, the mayor conditions the holding of the match to send reinforcements from the Federal Police Reserve, payable by the State.
The cost of organizing football meetings is a recurring subject in Liège
The bourgmestre had vetoed the organization of the match last March, for the same reasons. The Minister of Sports, Jacqueline Galant (MR), then invited her to review her position.
The cost of organizing football meetings is a recurring subject in Liège. The bourgmestre has already expressed on several occasions its wish to see the local clubs, the Standard and the RFC Liège in mind, contributing financially to the cover of the costs.