Around 50 masked football hooligans – believed to be supporters of RWD Molenbeek – descended onto the Parvis de Saint-Gilles on Wednesday night to attack Union Saint-Gilloise fans.
Video images show two groups of fans clashing in the popular bar street of Saint-Gilles, throwing punches and hurling chairs at each other, with their faces covered.
Police intervened but no arrests were made, and some Belgian newspapers have reported around 3 people were injured.
On social media, some fans have alleged that RWD Molenbeek fans descended unannounced onto the Parvis and attacked bar revellers. Others claim that a group of Union fans were also present, suggesting the confrontation may have been prearranged, which Jean Spinette, the Mayor of Saint-Gilles, also believes.
"Obviously, there was an organised meeting where RWDM supporters came to the Parvis de Saint-Gilles to clash with Union Saint-Gilloise supporters sitting on the terraces," explained the mayor to RTBF.
"This led to some pretty distressing scenes," he continued, "with terrace chairs being thrown at each other and punches being thrown in the middle of the square. Unfortunately, we're moving away from the Zwanze. Back then, things were tense between the two clubs. But here, we're really in the realms of pure violence."
Tense return of Zwanze deby
The two teams play today in the Zwanze derby, said to be the true Brussels derby – as many Anderlecht fans reside outside the Belgian capital and in the Flemish countryside, while fans of Union and Molenbeek are traditionally from the city.
The game will be played at 18:30 – which also attracted criticisms from fan groups for the early kick-off time.
Trouble was expected, as on Wednesday afternoon Forest Mayor Mariam Elhamidine issued a police order forcing the closure of hospitality establishments in the "immediate perimeter" of the Joseph Marien stadium from 15:30 to 22:00.
The decision is taken as a security measure, while "risk analysis tends towards a serious risk of public disorder," the police order reads. In particular, it is feared that "hardcore" supporters from RWDM, but also from RSC Anderlecht, will attack Union supporters "given the current links of animosity between them," the order continues.
"All this has nothing to do with football. I deplore it and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable match," she concluded.
