According to The Locals, the ban is out of proportion and there is no consultation with the supporters associations. They feel supported by Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden and mayor Dirk De Fauw van Brugge, who also find the ban exaggerated. That is why the supporters’ association with lawyer Walter Vansteenbrugge goes to the Council of State.
“I feel strengthened in this decision,” says Frederik van Eenoo, chairman of The Locals. “We have to look at what really happened and what can happen on May 18. There is a big difference between 22,500 supporters for the cup final and the 1,000 for a competition match.”