Standard Liège and Royal Antwerp players were left baffled when their Jupiler Pro League match was abruptly called off by the referee with minutes remaining. The match came to an unexpected halt in the 88th minute when a cup was thrown at the referee and all 22 players were sent off the pitch.
Footage showed a plastic cup being fired from the crowd and hitting the umpire in the upper back as he dealt with the situation on the touchline. The referee immediately turned to the stands and blew his whistle to signal to the changing room. As he makes his way across the field, bewildered and surprised players from both teams follow him. Several Standard players were then seen looking into the stands, apparently unhappy about the incident.
Shortly after the abrupt end, Standard clarified the situation in a statement on its official website. They confirmed that the match would finish behind closed doors.
“The match between Standard and Antwerp, which was interrupted in the 87th minute this Friday night, will be restarted behind closed doors next Monday or Tuesday, including extra time, in accordance with new federal regulations,” it said.
“The supporter who threw the cup at the referee has been identified and the club will begin the process of banning him from the Civic Stadium, as well as filing a lawsuit for compensation.”
Rafiki Saeed’s goal just 16 seconds into the match gave Standard Liège a 1-0 lead. However, Adnan Abid was sent off in the 39th minute following a VAR review, and the squad was reduced to 10 men.
Both Standard Liege and Antwerp have had disappointing starts, with 11 points from their first 10 games. Standard are ahead of their rivals on goal difference alone and will be out of the relegation play-offs.
A similar incident also saw Championship side Blackburn Rovers’ match recently called off, but unlike Belgium’s decision, a rematch will be required.
Last month, a home game against Ipswich Town was called off in the 80th minute due to a flooded pitch.
At this point, Blackburn were leading 1-0, with Ipswich reduced to 10 men. Despite this, the EFL made the decision to replay all matches, with the rescheduled date set for Tuesday 2 December.
