And the reason being that some Belgian mayors worry ruckus resulting from French chauvinism
Tonight, the nationwide soccer groups of France and Belgium will face off in the course of the first spherical of the direct elimination part of the 2024 Euro Cup. There shall be loads of feelings from followers in each neighbouring nations supporting their group. Nevertheless, in a number of Belgian border communities, the sport tonight can be a reason for concern and anxiousness relating to the safety scenario, so that they have determined to limit the free stream throughout the borders by closing bridges to automotive site visitors and banning mass gatherings in public areas.
These communities are positioned within the so-called Lys (Leie) Valley stretching from Comines to Armentières alongside the border. The mayors of those cities determined to implement the bizarre measure which can apply from 4 pm and all through the evening, relying on the safety context following the soccer sport.
“The municipal authorities on each side of the Leie River hope that the spirit and final result of the match shall be marked by the values of respect, honest play and conviviality,” stated the mayor of Comines-Warneton (Belgium), quoted by Belga Information Company.
Pedestrians and cyclists can nonetheless cross
The trepidation felt by the small-town Belgian communities is just not unfounded. The mayors cited the earlier expertise of the 2 groups taking part in on the 2018 World Cup semifinal, which resulted not solely in a French win but additionally in French followers dashing into the border cities honking their automobiles, dancing on the streets and taunting the native residents.
“The French are far more chauvinistic than we’re. We all know from expertise that after a French victory, they like to impress ‘les petits Belges’ once more and tease them with their automobiles,” stated Youro Casier, mayor of Wervik, quoted by Politico.
The match kicks off at 6 pm (CET) in Düsseldorf. It’s the 76th assembly between Belgium and France, with a spot within the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 at stake. Each groups gained solely considered one of their video games within the group levels of the competitors, ending second of their swimming pools.
