Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Wervik and Comines-Warneton have closed their borders with France. They fear cross-border taunting, hooting and violence following France-Belgium at the European Championship. “Last time, showcases were broken and cars were set on fire.”
“The eighth final between Belgium and France will be accompanied by passion and emotion from one side to the other side of the border,” opens a letter that the municipal council of Komen-Waast sent to its residents last weekend.
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The municipal authorities on both sides of the border wish that the match can be experienced in a pleasant and respectful atmosphere. “I was over the moon when I read that,” says Jean Yombi.
Yombi is the manager of a bakery in Komen-Waast, in Belgium. France is one and a half meters from the sidewalk of his business. “That municipal letter about passion, emotion, respect and conviviality: I thought it was fantastic. I was already imagining what they were planning: the Belgian and French mayors following the match together. A human chain from one side to the other of the border? Belgians and French sewing a French-Belgian flag together? But no, a border blockade. I find it incomprehensible. It’s like it’s war. Or as if we were playing against Russia.”
Since 4 p.m., the intersection that connects Belgium with France in Komen-Waasten has been blocked. Yombi has decided to close his shop at that time. “Belgians, French: they are all part of my clientele and they constantly cross the border. Opening the shop with a border blockade makes no sense.” At the intersection of his shop, only residents are allowed through. A little further on in the municipality where a bridge over the Leie connects Belgium with France, all cars are stopped. Only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed through. At yet another border crossing in the municipality, all traffic is stopped. Even those on foot or by bike.
“Until at least midnight,” says Mayor Alice Leeuwerck (MR). “We have fourteen border crossings, but it is not feasible to close them all. Last Friday, we met with the neighbouring municipality of Wervik and the ten French municipalities on the other side of the border for a crisis meeting.
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There we decided on which points the security risk was greatest and where we should set up a completely closed border or a filter blockade to control border traffic.” Mayor Leeuwerck tells how the previous major confrontation between France and Belgium led to vandalism in her municipality. “We are about fifteen minutes from Lille. After the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018, the French came here to cause a riot. They set off fireworks, set cars on fire and smashed shop windows. We want to avoid that this time with the border blockades.”
In the local municipality of Wervik, where a large bridge over the Leie also connects Belgium with France, no vandalism took place in 2018. Thanks to the container that was placed on the bridge, according to the municipal council. “This time we choose a more modern version: large flower boxes that we also use during the fair,” says Mayor Youro Casier (Vooruit). Anyone who comes on foot, bicycle or scooter can still cross the border. “We want to avoid French people driving around here after a victory, starting to honk and getting out to dance in the street. We fear that people will be triggered to do stupid things, especially with the alcohol involved after such a match.”
“Oh, why shouldn’t the French be allowed to come here and dance and party if they win?”, says baker Yombi. “Just like the Belgians are allowed to do in France if they win. I understand that the municipalities want to be vigilant, but why don’t they just make sure that the police are present to intervene quickly and decisively if cars are speeding down the road or hotheads are causing a riot?”
Philippe and Chantal Raczek, who, like Yombi, live on the border, also do not mind the harsh measure. “Everyone is being punished for a few hotheads.” How Philippe and Chantal are punished? The couple don’t watch football and go shopping in France, where a full shopping cart costs a lot less. Now they collide with a closed border. The couple sees the opportunity to shop cheaply and quietly – at a time when everyone is watching the TV or behind a big screen – going up in smoke.
