Standard de Liège reverses stance, files appeal after prosecutor's move

Standard de Liège announced on Wednesday that it will appeal the disciplinary decision handed down on 24 June, after learning that the Belgian Union Prosecutor's Office has also lodged an appeal against the sanctions imposed for the incidents following the 23 May match with Sporting Charleroi.

The 23 May encounter between Standard de Liège and Sporting Charleroi descended into a fiasco after post‑match incidents. The disciplinary committee responded with a €10,000 fine and a ban on Liège supporters travelling to Charleroi until 30 June 2028.

Standard initially issued a communiqué accepting the penalties and renouncing any appeal. It highlighted a projected €227,000 financial impact from a total closed‑door sanction, based on figures from the previous Walloon derby.

‘Despite our contestations and the heavy financial impact, Standard intended to assume, together with its supporters, the disciplinary sanctions pronounced by the Disciplinary Committee for Professional Football following the incidents at the end of the 23 May match,’ the club wrote on Wednesday. The statement also confirmed the club’s decision to forgo an appeal at that time.

After learning that the RBFA Prosecutor’s Office had also lodged an appeal, Standard announced it would now appeal the decision. ‘To preserve our interests and, if needed, develop our argument on the legal question of objective responsibility, the club must also appeal,’ the club said, referring to its Matricule 16.

General Manager Pierre François explained that the club had initially avoided an appeal to project responsibility and maintain a responsible image. He added that a dialogue with the ‘Family of the Reds’ and President Alain Renard’s support for not pursuing the case beyond the 24 June decision had guided that approach.

François said the prosecutor’s differing view forced the club to defend its position before the Disciplinary Council for Professional Football.

Training has resumed as Standard prepares for the 2026‑2027 season and hopes supporter incidents will decline. The first league match is set for 8 August against Cercle Brugge at the Sclessin stadium, a partially closed‑door fixture unless the appeal changes the sanctions.