Leuven Decree Upheld

Yesterday, Wednesday, 1. FC Union Berlin and three supporters filed a challenge with the Belgian Council of State, the highest administrative court in the country. This was dismissed this evening.

The aim of the application was to overrule a decree by the mayor of Leuven banning Union fans without a valid stadium ticket from entering Leuven and the neighbouring municipalities. The club’s complaint was based in particular on the disproportionate nature of the measure and the lack of jurisdiction of the mayor of Leuven.

Contrary to the opinion of the Belgian Advocate General, the court considered that there was a threat to public order. The city had therefore reacted in a permissible manner, and the court also considered the order to be proportionate.