A NORTH-EAST MEP has accused Belgian police of being heavy handed in dealing with Newcastle United fans.
Ahead of the Magpies’ match against Club Brugge, in Belgium, on Thursday, November 8, Belgian police have warned that Toon Army fans without a match ticket will be prevented from travelling to the stadium and anyone found in the vicinity of the stadium on matchday without a ticket will be arrested.
In a statement on Newcastle’s website, the police also say if anyone arrives at a Belgian border control point with alcohol it will be confiscated.
Martin Callanan, Conservative MEP for the North-East, says the tactics are heavy handed and arbitrary arrests would be illegal.
He has written to Belgian police commissioners.
“There are long links between the people of Flanders and my constituency and many visitors to Brugge from the North-East of England bring considerable benefits to the city,” he writes.
“I would not like to see the goodwill fostered by this history of exchange lost through aggressive policing tactics and illegal threats,” adds Mr Callanan.
He has also tabled a question to the European Commission on the matter.
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