Soccer player in Belgian league investigated for antisemitic chant

BRUSSELS — The Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) announces that it is opening an investigation following Club Brugge’s title celebrations, during which Dutch soccer player Noa Lang sang an antisemitic chant.

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

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 Bruges goal.

“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 says.

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 trivialized any longer,” the league says.

Brugge, whose fans have been accused of antisemitic chants in the past, defends its player

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