• Loading stock data...
Thursday, May 29, 2025

Belgian Fan Uprising Is Latest Incident in European Soccer Unrest

  • Club supporters trap U.S. owner in a stadium bathroom to protest a deep fall in the standings.
  • Similar incidents have cropped across the continent as change accelerates in the sport.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Say this much about European soccer fans: They certainly don’t hide their feelings. 

A group of unhappy supporters of Belgian team K.V. Oostende trapped American owner Paul Conway in a stadium bathroom, according to a Bloomberg report, frustrated with the club’s precipitous decline in recent years. Conway, co-founder of investment firm Pacific Media Group, has overseen the club’s fall from a fifth-place finish in 2021 in the Belgian Pro League, the country’s top tier, to a current last-place standing in the second division.

“[Conway’s] killing the club, and now it’s time for action,” said Koen Devisscher, a longtime Oostende season-ticket holder who helped lead a protest against the club board. 

Conway’s Pacific Media acquired Oostende in 2020, and the firm has been involved in several other European teams in recent years, part of a fast-growing trend across the industry to build multi-club portfolios. But though Conway was able to free himself from the Oostende protestors with the aid of security, the uprising is just one of many incidents of fan unrest across European soccer in recent years.

More Turmoil

Other entities facing similar incidents recently from angry fans include Manchester United, Everton, the entire Bundesliga in Germany, and the original, ultimately scuttled effort to build a European Soccer League—collectively creating a rather different means of showing displeasure than that of U.S. pro sports. More similar incidents seem likely as rising foreign investments, new ownership structures, and increasing financial pressures continue to impact the sport.

“We are not prepared to stand idly by as German soccer gets sold out,” said supporters of the country’s top clubs last month upon staging a silent protest of emerging plans to sell part of the league’s media rights to outside investors.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Arizona Father-Son Duo Plead Guilty to $280 Million Sportsplex Fraud

Randy Miller and his son Chad conned multiple investment firms. 

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Knicks and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals 1985 and 2015 World Series championships on the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Public Funding Standoff Nears Endgame

Missouri legislators will review stadium bonds for the Chiefs and Royals.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.
Apr 25, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum.
May 28, 2025

Marc Lasry: NBA Valuations Won’t Keep Skyrocketing

Lasry sold his Bucks stake in 2023 at a 218% increase over the 2014 purchase price.
May 28, 2025

PGA Tour’s $100M Playoffs Alter Bonus Payout for Tour Championship

The Tour Championship will no longer award $25 million to its winner.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 27, 2025

WNBA Finds No Proof of Racist Comments at Sky-Fever Game

The Chicago Sky did not respond to a request for comment.
Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) looks to pass as Memphis Tigers forward Dain Dainja (42) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena.
May 27, 2025

Projected NBA First-Rounder Picks Michigan Over Entering Draft

Houston’s Milos Uzan also withdrew from the NBA draft.
Jan 6, 2024; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota goalie Maddie Rooney (35) defends her net against Montreal during the second period in a PWHL ice hockey game at XCel Energy Center.
May 27, 2025

PWHL Expansion Rules Threaten Budding Minnesota Dynasty

Minnesota captured its second straight PWHL Walter Cup on Monday night.
May 27, 2025

SEC Push for More CFP Power Draws Congressional Attention

Greg Sankey attacks the Big 12 and ACC while seeking more autonomy.