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A Belgian top-flight match was called off on Friday night after the referee was unexpectedly hit by a fan's cup.
Standard Liege faced Royal Antwerp at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Referee Lothar D’Hondt was hit by a cupCredit: DAZN
The 31-year-old wasted no time in stopping the matchCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Match Abandonment
The home team took the lead with a goal from Rafik Said in the first minute of the match, but they were reduced to 10 players shortly before halftime when Adnane Abid received a red card.
Incident Details
As Antwerp desperately sought an equalizer in the 87th minute, referee Lothar D’Hondt was positioned near the touchline during a stoppage in play.
Suddenly, a cup was thrown from the stands, hitting D’Hondt in the back before bouncing off Standard midfielder Tobias Mohr's arm.
D’Hondt, 31, acted swiftly, blowing his whistle and signaling for players to leave the field.
Player Reactions
Both teams were outraged by the incident.
Antwerp players, who were trying to level the score, protested vigorously.
Meanwhile, Standard Liege's 10 players, who had fought hard to maintain their lead, were disheartened that their efforts might have been in vain.
Defender Ibe Hautekiet fell to his knees, burying his head in his hands.
Goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo and full-back Mohr expressed their anger towards their own fans, understandably upset with the individual who threw the cup.
Resumption Details
According to a rule established in the Belgian top flight in 2022, the match will be resumed behind closed doors, picking up from the 87th minute.
The resumption is scheduled for Monday at 3 PM local time.
Club Response
Standard Liege has announced that they have identified the individual responsible for the incident.
A brief statement read: “The supporter who threw the cup at the referee has been identified, and the club will initiate civil stadium ban proceedings against him, along with a claim for compensation.”
Former Chelsea player Henry Lawrence participated for Standard Liege, while ex-Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen played for Royal Antwerp.
Tobias Mohr, who was also hit, expressed his anger towards the perpetratorCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Standard star Ibe Hautekiet was visibly upsetCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the match abandoned?
The match was abandoned because the referee was struck by a cup thrown from the stands, prompting an immediate halt to the game.
When will the match resume?
The match is set to resume on Monday at 3 PM local time.
What actions will the club take against the supporter?
The club has identified the supporter who threw the cup and will initiate civil stadium ban proceedings against him, as well as pursue compensation.
