FLF apologizes to fans after stadium incident
The Football Association FLF has a position on Sunday Allegations of violence on the edge of the test game against Slovenia on Friday (0: 1) taken. As a reminder: Some fans protested in the Stade de Luxembourg with symbolic red cards and banners against the nomination of Gerson Rodrigues, which had been sentenced to a prison sentence of 18 months due to multiple bodily harm. Sayings such as « Protect you perpetrators, I protect ice cream » or « Schumm dech, FLF » were to be read.
In the course of the first half, however, the banner were removed by folders. They also went to the block of the activists, where there was an argument between the demonstrators and the security personnel. The activists then reported unjustified violence. The folders are said to have broken a finger for a woman.
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In a press letter, the FLF reacted on Sunday evening and apologized for the incidents. The FLF explains that some of the banners have violated UEFA and FIFA provisions – these prohibit messages with political, insulting, sexual, discriminatory or commercial content. However, the procedure of the folders was the result of a « unfortunate misunderstanding in communication » between the FLF and the security officers.
« This lack of coordination led to several banner removed – beyond what would have been necessary to meet the regulations, » said the football association. « We want to be clear: there was no instruction from the FLF’s board of directors to remove all banners. It was never and will never be our philosophy. »
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« We sincerely apologize to all affected people. We confirm our commitment to ensure full freedom of expression for all football fans and supporters of our national team – both outside and within a football stadium, » explains the FLF in the letter. Those responsible want to avoid situations such as those on Friday in the future.
