The kick-off in the UEFA Europa League match between FC Utrecht and Racing Genk was delayed after supporters reportedly bypassed strict security checks.
The Europa League clash between FC Utrecht and KRC Genk was delayed, after riot police were forced to storm the away end. The game was scheduled to kick-off at 8pm UK time, but was soon delayed.
The reason behind the delay – according to a mayoral spokesman – was that a large group of Genk fans without tickets broke through the stadium’s security and entered the away end without being searched. Riot police then moved into the away end and cleared the section, sparking clashes with angry supporters.
The police not only threw out the fans already in the away end, but refused to let any further Genk supporters enter. Confirming the delay to kick-off, a post on FC Utrecht’s X – was Twitter – page read: “The kick-off of FC Utrecht vs KRC Genk has been delayed due to a situation at the away section. An update will follow as soon as more information is available.”
A second update then read: “The players will be coming out soon for a new warm-up. New kick-off time is 21.50.”
The game eventually got underway at around 8.50pm UK time. However, it appears it’s being played without any Genk fans being in the away end.
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After finishing fourth in Eredivisie last season, Utrecht earned themselves a return to European football for the first time since 2010/11. However, they are yet to secure a victory in this season’s competition.
Ron Jans’ team have only collected one point from a possible 15 on offer. Since going six matches without defeat in front of their fans between the end of September and the start of December, Utrecht have struggled on home turf, losing three straight games 2-1.
And speaking ahead of the game, Jans admitted: “It’s a great time here, but we’re struggling right now. We want to get through this together, and I want to be a leader in that.”
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“There are no guarantees, but it’s true. The coach is fighting, the team is a unit and needs to show what they’re capable of on the pitch. And that’s how we need to turn things around.”
However, a victory for Genk tonight would have secured them a place in the knockout stages. But they headed into tonight’s game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Zulte Waregem at Elindus Arena at the weekend.
De Smurfen have not reached a European knockout phase since 2019. And despite being just 97 miles apart, tonight’s game is just the second time the two sides have faced each other.
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