As of this Monday, the bourgmestre of Liège, Willy Demeyer (PS), said in several French -speaking daily newspapers that he had not authorized the holding of the meeting. “”At a time when we are talking about (Monday at 7:20 p.m.), There is no agreement to accommodate the Red Devils in Sclessinhe said to our evening colleagues on Monday at 7:20 p.m.. So I haven’t changed my mind. The day before my departure on vacation, I received a letter from the Belgian Football Federation which, by the tone used, is probably believed in conquered land in Liège. However, this is not the case. The federation goes faster than music. I don’t understand. Football is a considerable financial burden for cities and municipalities. “
The Belgian Union had however announced the same morning the return of the national selection to the Stade du Standard. The Liège authorities invoke budgetary and security reasons. “”The city is continued by the supervision, it must absolutely achieve savings, In solancy Willy deeyer. In Liège, there is a big problem called drug addiction and which requires a strong police presence in the neighborhoods. “
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 bourgmestre had vetoed the organization of the match last March, for the same reasons. The Minister of Sports, Jacqueline Galant (MR), then invited him to review his 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.
