Pyro in the Belgian Pro League

https://m.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230425_94291839

It already seemed like an insane proposal and now it appears to be getting a lot of opposition. The permission to let fans shoot flares in a football stadium under certain circumstances is not yet for immediately. And may never come



Three weeks ago, the Pro League, the collection of professional clubs, launched the proposal to allow fireworks in football stadiums under certain circumstances. She will discuss this with Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), Minister of the Interior. An agreement has not yet been reached. The specialists of the Burns Foundation shudder at the very thought.




If the Ministry of the Interior gives the green light, the Pro League wants to start the project next season. It comes with a whole host of conditions. The fireworks should not be used during competitions and would only be allowed in certain areas without an audience. Only * supporters should be allowed to light the fireworks with the agreement of the police and fire brigade and those fans must follow training at the fire brigade.

Outrage
Not only public opinion reacted indignantly. The ultras, the fanatical supporters responsible for setting off the fireworks, were also not fond of the idea of controlled fireworks in their reactions. Minister Annelies Verlinden, who visited the Burns Foundation in Wezembeek-Oppem yesterday, confirms that talks are underway with the Pro League.




But we have not yet received a concrete pilot project from the Pro League,” said Verlinden. “I would like to emphasize that for me the safety of citizens, in this case football fans, is always paramount. I fully understand the atmosphere in the stadiums, but we want the fans to go to football with peace of mind.”

“We have put a proposal in principle on the table, which we are now discussing in all serenity and constructively,” says Stijn Van Bever, spokesman for the Pro League.



The Pro League therefore still has some work to do if it wants to start the pilot project next season. For the Burns Foundation, which treats hundreds of victims of fireworks every year, it is clear.



The ban on the use of pyrotechnic material by individuals in the football stadium must be maintained,” says Stefaan Lauwaert, aftercare coordinator at the Burns Foundation. “There are too many victims every year due to the use of fireworks and flares in the stadiums. 31 victims in 2020, 38 in 2021 and 43, four of whom were seriously injured, in 2022. Non-professionals cannot be involved in something as dangerous as fireworks. We are not against experience in the football stadiums and for clubs such as Standard and Charleroi it even seems indispensable, but it must always be done by professionals. The Pro League talks about training some of the fans, but we checked with the fire department and that's something they can't get into. You are not a professional firework setter in half a day.”

Ultras for or against?
“The ban on the use of pyrotechnic material by individuals in the football stadium must be maintained,” says Stefaan Lauwaert, aftercare coordinator at the Burns Foundation. “There are too many victims every year due to the use of fireworks and flares in the stadiums. 31 victims in 2020, 38 in 2021 and 43, four of whom were seriously injured, in 2022. Non-professionals cannot be involved in something as dangerous as fireworks. We are not against experience in the football stadiums and for clubs such as Standard and Charleroi it even seems indispensable, but it should always be done by professionals. The Pro League talks about training some of the fans, but we checked with the fire department and that's something they can't get into. You are not a professional firework setter in half a day.”



Corner of the stadium
Are the ultras in favor of the idea or not? “We talked to a delegation of the ultras and that was exactly how they saw it: in a corner of the stadium where there are no people, it should be possible,” said Pro League spokesperson Van Bever. The Burns Foundation thinks differently about this. “The ultras' first reactions were that they didn't like it,” says Lauwaert. “A small part of football fans is just out to break the rules as much as possible. To then set off fireworks in a corner of the stadium under supervision and without people around, that does not fit into that picture.




Alternatives such as light shows and the so-called 'cold fireworks' are alternatives that can be discussed. The Burns Foundation is already starting a project on behalf of the FPS Home Affairs to investigate to what extent the use of pyrotechnic material in the football environment can be tolerated. This includes a prevention and awareness campaign. But everything happens under the motto that the use of pyrotechnic material by individu