STANDARD LIEGE’S clash with Anderlecht was abandoned after just half an hour on Friday night after fans launched flares on the pitch.
The fierce Belgian derby clash was interrupted twice before the referee opted to call the game off with Liege leading 2-0.
AFP
Anderlecht had already been reduced to ten men as tempers flared in Belgium, as VAR intervened to award a penalty.
Following the clash at Standard Liege’s Stade Maurice Dufrasne home, Anderlecht took to Twitter to slam their fans’ behaviour.
A statement read: “The management of the club strictly disapproves of the behaviour.
“This is absolutely intolerable for football.”
TEMPERS FLARE
The first moment of controversy in the heated derby came early on after Liege star Alen Halilovic had a goal ruled out by VAR.
Fuming fans lobbed flares onto the field – and the game was forced to be delayed by ten minutes as match officials waiting for the smoke to clear.
Razvan Marin then did give the hosts the lead after 22 minutes – before ref Erik Lambrechts was again forced to halt the game for smoke.
Moments after the restart, Liege were awarded a penalty – and Anderlecht‘s Kara Mbodji was sent-off – thanks to another controversial VAR call.
Paul-Jose Mpoku fired home the resulting spot-kick – before another sea of flares were chucked onto the playing surface.
Visibly frustrated, Lambrechts had no option but to abandon the game with the score at 2-0 to Standard Liege.
AFP
