A large group of supporters watch the match between Willem II and Rangers FC in the center of Tilburg on Thursday evening. The municipality has set up a fan zone on Olympiaplein, where a thousand fans watch the match on a large screen. Before the match, there was also extensive partying by the Willem II fans, who did not comply with the corona rules.

Images appear on social media showing supporters dancing and singing. They celebrate the return of William II to Europe; the images were taken before the game started at 9 p.m. The municipality of Tilburg has deliberately issued a permit for the party. Although the municipality would have asked the organization to observe the corona rules, they see no reason to intervene.

“We play European football for the first time in fifteen years. And we are proud of that”, says spokesman Irma van Gaalen of the municipality. “We are not crazy and we also know that there are parties then.” The spokesman is not shocked by the images of Olympiaplein. “We mainly see images of people disinfecting their hands upon arrival.”

“We had the choice to stick our heads in the sand and then you get parties behind the front door. But we opted for a visible party in public”, the municipality explains the choice to grant a permit. The spokesperson adds that people can easily be traced afterwards, if there are any infections. “Everyone has to register upon arrival, which is useful for source and contact research.” At the time of writing, Rangers is leading 0-2 against Willem II.