Soccer

Beheading soccer banner psychs out player, horrifies authorities

BRUSSELS — Belgian authorities and the country’s football federation are seeking action against Standard Liege fans who displayed a massive banner showing a drawing of a beheaded Anderlecht player ahead of their weekend match.

Defour reacts as he receives a red card.AFP/Getty Images

The banner reading “Red or Dead” referred to the Standard colors and also showed a drawing of a masked man with a huge knife and the head of Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour, who used to play for Standard before moving to archrival Anderlecht.

Defour was sent off in the match that Standard won 2-0.

The display caused much uproar and the interior ministry said it is considering sanctions that can go as high as a five-year stadium ban and a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,640).

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders already called the banner “tasteless, stupid and unacceptable.”