Charleroi braces for bans and fines at disciplinary hearing

Voici what awaits Sporting Charleroi before the Comité Disciplinaire on Tuesday afternoon, as the club that has been winning matches behind closed doors now faces possible bans and fines.

Les incidents stem from the Belgian Cup clash between Mons and Charleroi on 17 October, when smoke bombs at the Tondreau injured several spectators, among them three children.

Charleroi could be ordered to play the next three home games behind closed doors, a sanction similar to the one imposed after the May walloon clash at Sclessin.

The Belgian FA may also strip the club of its away ticket allocation for the next five fixtures.

A monetary fine is also on the table as part of the punishment spectrum.

Coach Mario Kohnen’s side has shown it can thrive without supporters, having secured victories in empty stadiums at Standard and against La Louvière.

The judge will hear the pleadings on Tuesday but will not deliver a verdict until several days later.

Charleroi can lodge a suspensive appeal to restore fan attendance while awaiting the final ruling, and a civil court challenge, as the club’s sponsor Alumic SA attempted last week, remains an option.

Mehdi Bayat could still be one of the few permitted to travel to Mambourg in the coming weeks.

The board and supporters had already imposed a self‑imposed ban on travelling to Antwerp.

The matter is being handled under the jurisdiction of the Jupiler Pro League, reported by journalist Julien Parcinski.

The word Discover is included in the original report.