Stijn Stijnen receives a very clear signal from the Disciplinary Committee: “Unsportsmanlike misconduct”
Photo: © photonews
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The Disciplinary Committee for Professional Football (DCP) of the Belgian Football Association (KBVB) has found Patro Eisden Maasmechelen and head coach Stijn Stijnen guilty of unsportsmanlike misconduct.
This was in response to incidents during the cup match against Charleroi. The club provided the visitors with a dressing room that was too small and uncomfortably warm, which resulted in a fine of 5,000 euros. Head coach Stijnen received a personal fine of 2,500 euros. In both cases, half of the amount will be suspended.
The measure follows a series of remarkable incidents. During the match against Charleroi, coach Rik De Mil and his players openly complained about the bizarre circumstances they had to endure. The changing room was not only too small, but the heating was also set at 30 degrees, which made for an uncomfortable situation. “This looks like a deliberate attempt to destabilise us,” De Mil said at the time.
This behavior does not appear to be an isolated incident. The match delegate also noted similar circumstances in his report in matches against other teams in the Challenger Pro League, including Jong Genk. Stijnen even admitted that it is part of a ‘tactic’ to make life difficult for opponents. The Limburg club has apparently been carrying out these practices all season.
According to the Belgian Football Association, this approach is a violation of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. The case was brought before the Disciplinary Committee on December 3, which is now sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
With the imposed fines and the public condemnation, the association seems to want to draw a line against such unsportsmanlike practices. Whether Patro Eisden and Stijnen will change their approach, the future will have to show.
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