Standard accepts €10,000 fine, bans after Charleroi derby

Standard Liège has accepted a €10,000 fine and a set of sanctions after the Walloon derby against Charleroi, choosing not to appeal and promising to cooperate with supporters for a safer atmosphere. The measures include a ban on Rouches fans at Charleroi away games until 30 June 2028 and a closed‑door league match on the weekend of 11 October.

The Disciplinary Committee for professional football imposed a €10,000 fine on Standard Liège. The club accepted the penalty without filing an appeal.

Supporters of the Rouches are prohibited from attending any away matches in Charleroi until 30 June 2028. Additionally, Standard must play its league fixture against Charleroi behind closed doors during the weekend of 11 October.

A previously conditional sanction was activated, keeping sections E3, D3 and F3 closed for the home match against Cercle Brugge on 8 August. The closure applies to that specific fixture only.

General director Pierre François said the club disagrees with the principle of objective liability and sometimes feels certain clubs are treated more strictly. “We want above all to defend the safety of all our supporters. They must be able to come to the stadium with their families without fearing such incidents. We also want to give our club and Belgian football, especially Walloon football, a positive image both on the field and in the stands,” he explained.

Earlier this week, representatives of the supporters met with Liège police, where some fans offered apologies and all parties expressed a desire to start anew. The supporters association Famille des Rouches backs the decision not to appeal, while still opposing collective punishments and urging individual measures against identified perpetrators.