Union SG Manager Issues Apology After Staff Member Interrupts Late Genk Attack by Tossing Ball onto Pitch

Union Saint-Gilloise’s manager, Sebastien Pocognoli, has issued an apology following an incident in which one of his staff members was dismissed during the match against Genk. This occurred when an extra football was thrown onto the pitch, disrupting a critical last-minute attack, as reported by Dutch media on Monday.

The incident unfolded during the dying moments of added time on Sunday, with Union leading 2-1 in the Belgian Pro League clash at Genk.

As Genk pushed forward in search of an equaliser, their right-back, Zakaria El Ouahdi, was preparing to receive a pass from central defender Mujaid Sadick when an unexpected ball landed near him, halting the play.

The Genk players appealed to the referee for a decision, leading to the sending off of a Union staff member, although the video footage did not reveal who was responsible for throwing the ball onto the field.

Union managed to secure the 2-1 victory in what proved to be a significant match in the title race, placing them second in the standings with 40 points, while Genk sits in third due to an inferior goal difference.

“This was not something we orchestrated in any way,” Pocognoli remarked. “Our team strives to maintain the right attitude both on and off the pitch. I personally approached the referee to express my apologies.

“I’m not sure who was involved—perhaps it was a staff member or even a player. I haven’t had the chance to view the footage yet.”

Reports from local media indicate that the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has initiated an investigation into the incident. Reuters has reached out to the RBFA for further comment.

“Such things usually happen in amateur football,” noted Genk midfielder Jarne Steuckers. “While this isn’t the reason for our loss, it certainly reflects a lack of professionalism. There are many ways to ensure a win, but this isn’t one of them.”