Genk draft in extra security to protect Defour on his return

goldenHuddlestone · 08-18-2006, 11:51 PM

Extra police will be drafted in to protect Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour when he visits his old club Racing Genk in the Belgian first division on Saturday. The 18-year-old left for Liege in acrimonious circumstances in the close-season and both the police and his former employers are expecting a backlash from home supporters.

"The extra police are there for his protection," Erik Gerets, Genk General Manager, told Reuters. Fans carrying any unpleasant banners directed at the Belgian international will have them confiscated and will be banned from attending any future games in Belgium for a year, according to the Genk official.

All of Lieges board of directors and officials have also been told not to attend for their own safety by the police. Following a spectacular first season, Defour, who was picked up by Genk as a schoolboy, attracted the interest of a number of clubs including Chelsea and Ajax. However, in April he declared his loyalty to Genk and signed a three-year contract with them.

A few weeks later, Ajax made another approach which Defour welcomed, but the club turned it down as the Dutch sides offer was not enough. The player then did a u-turn and sought a move, much to the anger of the Genk fans. "In the end we had to let him go as he couldnt play for us anymore with the fans calling him Judas," Gerets said. "Whats worse for the fans is that we were forced to sell him to Standard for a third of his value."

Defour was valued at 4 million euros ($5.13 million) and sold for 1.25 miilion. The increased security measures on Saturday will include a five-km security zone, police in riot gear, extra sniffer dogs and double the number of stewards within the stadium. Genk currently top the table with a 100 percent record after two games, while Liege are still awaiting their first point of the season.

squid · 08-19-2006, 02:26 AM

this sort of stuff is natural for passionatte supporters. You only have to look at the Celtic fans fans that threw a brick at mo johnston during the 1990 world cup or the reaction the roberto baggio transsfer from fiorintina caused. Very sh**. people need to remember that it is just a game and that the players that have to make thier money out of it have to take care of themselves and thier families 1st and foremost.

goldenHuddlestone · 09-04-2006, 11:19 AM

It seems to be even more millitant here though. Taht's alot of police.

Jedi Knight · 09-05-2006, 09:13 PM

yeh finally the fans hit back at jumped up, disloyal, little arrogant players. I say here here for the Genk fans !!!!!!!!!!!

goldenHuddlestone · 09-06-2006, 11:51 AM

Yes hooray for mob culture

Jedi Knight · 09-07-2006, 01:06 AM

damn tootin my friend. for too long we, the fans, have let pampered, arrogant footballers take the piss oput of us once too often. we invest our money (their wages) because we invest our emotions in our clubs. if maority of fans sat back and thought about football rationally, footballers would be out of a job. they better start treating us with respect b4 the worm turns

goldenHuddlestone · 09-07-2006, 09:08 PM

It's one thing to do that but it's another thing to do whatever this guys were gonna do to him. The guy's only 18 he probbly didn't have a lot of say in it anyway

08-18-2006, 11:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,656 vCash: 480	Genk draft in extra security to protect Defour on his return Extra police will be drafted in to protect Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour when he visits his old club Racing Genk in the Belgian first division on Saturday. The 18-year-old left for Liege in acrimonious circumstances in the close-season and both the police and his former employers are expecting a backlash from home supporters. "The extra police are there for his protection," Erik Gerets, Genk General Manager, told Reuters. Fans carrying any unpleasant banners directed at the Belgian international will have them confiscated and will be banned from attending any future games in Belgium for a year, according to the Genk official. All of Lieges board of directors and officials have also been told not to attend for their own safety by the police. Following a spectacular first season, Defour, who was picked up by Genk as a schoolboy, attracted the interest of a number of clubs including Chelsea and Ajax. However, in April he declared his loyalty to Genk and signed a three-year contract with them. A few weeks later, Ajax made another approach which Defour welcomed, but the club turned it down as the Dutch sides offer was not enough. The player then did a u-turn and sought a move, much to the anger of the Genk fans. "In the end we had to let him go as he couldnt play for us anymore with the fans calling him Judas," Gerets said. "Whats worse for the fans is that we were forced to sell him to Standard for a third of his value." Defour was valued at 4 million euros ($5.13 million) and sold for 1.25 miilion. The increased security measures on Saturday will include a five-km security zone, police in riot gear, extra sniffer dogs and double the number of stewards within the stadium. Genk currently top the table with a 100 percent record after two games, while Liege are still awaiting their first point of the season.

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09-05-2006, 09:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jedi Knight Admin Join Date: May 2006 Location: ma hoose Posts: 1,437 vCash: 500	yeh finally the fans hit back at jumped up, disloyal, little arrogant players. I say here here for the Genk fans !!!!!!!!!!! The FORCE will always triumph over the dark side!!!

09-07-2006, 01:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jedi Knight Admin Join Date: May 2006 Location: ma hoose Posts: 1,437 vCash: 500	damn tootin my friend. for too long we, the fans, have let pampered, arrogant footballers take the piss oput of us once too often. we invest our money (their wages) because we invest our emotions in our clubs. if maority of fans sat back and thought about football rationally, footballers would be out of a job. they better start treating us with respect b4 the worm turns The FORCE will always triumph over the dark side!!!

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08-19-2006, 02:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
squid Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 768 vCash: 500	this sort of stuff is natural for passionatte supporters. You only have to look at the Celtic fans fans that threw a brick at mo johnston during the 1990 world cup or the reaction the roberto baggio transsfer from fiorintina caused. Very sh**. people need to remember that it is just a game and that the players that have to make thier money out of it have to take care of themselves and thier families 1st and foremost.

09-04-2006, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,656 vCash: 480	It seems to be even more millitant here though. Taht's alot of police.

09-06-2006, 11:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,656 vCash: 480	Yes hooray for mob culture

09-07-2006, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,656 vCash: 480	It's one thing to do that but it's another thing to do whatever this guys were gonna do to him. The guy's only 18 he probbly didn't have a lot of say in it anyway