Brugge's Lang investigated for joining anti-Semitic chant

Brussels (AFP) – The Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) announced on Saturday it was opening an investigation following Club Brugge’s title celebrations, during which Dutch attacker Noa Lang sang an anti-Semitic chant.

In a video circulating on social media, Lang was filmed at the Brugge title party after they clinched the title on Thursday joining supporters in a song aimed at fans of rivals Anderlecht, who are seen as historically linked to the Jewish community.

“The Belgian FA condemns all forms of discrimination and defers to the competent disciplinary bodies to decide on the follow-up to these events,” the URBSFA website said.

Brugge made sure of their 17th Belgian league title with a 3-3 draw at Anderlecht in Brussels. Lang, a 21-year-old winger, scored the third Brugge goal.

“I am the child of a Surinamese father and a Dutch mother,” Lang posted on Instagram. 

“So I know all about racism and prejudice.”

“After I won the title, I sang with all my enthusiasm with the fans. I didn’t want to offend anyone with that. For me, that story is now over and I won’t go back to that.”

Lang, who started his career at Ajax in Amsterdam, is one of the candidates for the Belgian Pro League’s player of the season and young player of the season. 

“Racism and anti-Semitism have no place in our society. Chants that target specific groups of people must not be trivialised any longer,” the league said on Saturday.

Brugge, whose fans have been accused of anti-Semitic chants in the past, defended their player.

“When Noa Lang sang with our fans, there was no antisemitic undertone,” Club Brugge wrote. “Noa did not mean to hurt or insult anyone in any way and we are sorry if this happened.”