Spanish police are on high alert

GAMES The Spanish police are on guard tonight for two matches in the Basque Country, including Anderlecht. This is because the hard core of Athletic Bilbao would like to take revenge on Anderlecht supporters following an incident fourteen years ago.


In February 2010, Anderlecht played a 1-1 draw in Bilbao and eliminated the Spanish club with a handsome 4-0 victory in the Constant Vanden Stock stadium. That win remains one of Anderlecht's finest victories in Europe from the past few decades.

But in Bilbao, after the match, there was a big brawl between the hard core of the Basques and those of Anderlecht. The supporters of Purple and White were pelted and eventually entered the field to escape thrown bars, among other things. There was also a tense atmosphere in Brussels before the return match, with a whole section of Anderlecht supporters being arrested when they attacked buses of Bilbao supporters.

Because Anderlecht now plays Sociedad, the supporters of Bilbao want to take revenge. Anderlecht goes to Spain with quite a few supporters (1,200). Bilbao also plays AZ tonight, so the Spanish police will be extra attentive.