Monday, October 18, 2021 at 1:49 PM• Last update: 14:18

There is a chance that goalkeeper Rafael Romo of Oud-Heverlee Leuven has sustained permanent hearing damage after a firecracker exploded next to him during the game against Standard Liège (2-2) in the last minute of injury time. The Venezuelan closing post could no longer hear with his right ear and a day later his hearing was still not fully back.

OHL press secretary Filip Van Doorslaer tells The last news that Romo will visit the nose, throat and ear specialist on Monday to determine whether there may be permanent hearing damage. “And if that is the case, whether it can be minimized,” he adds. Standard faces a heavy penalty and it is also possible that the visiting club will file a complaint against lesson Rouches or against the supporter(s) who threw the firecracker at Romo, insofar as the perpetrator(s) can be identified.

“We are waiting for the report of referee Kevin Van Damme and of the competition delegation”, says Van Doorslaer. “Depending on the content, we look at whether or not it is necessary to do something ourselves.” OHL coach Marc Brys spoke of the action of the Standard fan(s) after the game. “But I do appreciate the gesture of Standard chairman Bruno Venanzi, who came to our dressing room to apologize to our goalkeeper for the irresponsible behavior of certain supporters.”

“Further research must show whether the hearing damage is temporary, or whether there is more to it,” said Brys. Standard seemed to take three points against OH Leuven on Saturday afternoon, when the team of trainer Luka Elsner started the injury time. The game ended in a division of points after late goals by Xavier Mercier and Sory Kaba in the 96th and 99th minute, respectively, in the 96th and 99th minute respectively.