Belgian First Division A side KAA Gent has announced its new initiative to keep drug users away from the stadium leading to 10 people being evacuated from a match.
Ahead of the KAA Gent fixture against KV Kortrijk on Sunday, January 15, 2023, it was reported by the club that Ghent police carried out a drug check in the Ghelamco stadium.
KAA Gent is doing the checks in a collaboration with the Ghent Police Zone and the East Flanders public prosecutor's office.
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According to the club statement released on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the club conducted a small-scale action that saw 400 visitors checked out of which 10 people were found either in possession or in use of the drugs.
“This time it was a small-scale action in which visitors were checked for the possession of drugs at the entrance. A drug dog was used for this.
“About 400 visitors were checked in a line-up of 10 people each. The drug dog identified 10 people who were in possession of drugs or who had recently used drugs,” part of the statement read.
It was highlighted that the 10 paid a fine and were also ordered to leave the stadium immediately.
“The club's security officer also registers them with the National Chamber of Civil Exclusions of the RBFA, which can impose a measure on them so that they are known to the Football Association and the other clubs and in the event of a subsequent misstep within 3 years against an effective exclusion,” the statement highlighted.
It was also announced that supporters who are involved with drugs in the stadium are constantly being mapped for more targeted action to be taken.
Supporters have been cautioned over the use of drugs in the stadium as the club aims to keep a family atmosphere during football matches.
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