Authorities are investigating the discovery of fourteen flares and smoke bombs under the away section's seats just minutes before the Walloon derby on Sunday, the Charleroi Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed on Monday.
Shortly before kick-off between Sporting de Charleroi and Standard de Liège in the Jupiler Pro League’s Europe Play-Offs, police officers entered the away section of the Charleroi stadium, reserved for Standard de Liège supporters.
The pyrotechnic devices were discovered by fans themselves after one noticed his seat was not properly fixed, the Prosecutor’s Office said.
The local police secured the area, with the intervention of an explosive detection dog and the Defence’s explosive ordnance disposal unit (SEDEE). The search revealed fourteen improvised devices, which were then neutralised. According to authorities, these were homemade smoke bombs and flares connected to a remote ignition system.
The prosecutor’s office in Charleroi stated that triggering these devices could have caused severe burns to the person sitting on the affected seat and adjacent seats.
Given the severity of the incident, an investigating judge will examine the case for "attempted arson of a building with people inside." Prison sentences ranging from one to 15 years are stipulated by the penal code.
