The Feria de Herstal is a celebration that aims to “highlighting the folklore, culture and traditions of the Spanish population in a festive and friendly spirit”. At least that is what is announced on the Liège agenda website. Because Natacha is not thrilled with the turn of events.
Consequences of a fight she didn’t start
The 24-year-old saleswoman took advantage of the Feria to see the Champions League final last Saturday, May 28. Shortly before the end of the match, a fight broke out between several supporters a few meters from her. “I did not have time to move away, I received a glass bottle in the face”. Natacha was taken to the emergency room and directly sewn up. “Apparently there are pieces of glass that got stuck in the wound. I have to have surgery on June 8 or 9. There’s a hematoma that will go away on its own normally, but I’ll probably never get the use of my left eye back.”
The victim is incapacitated for work for a month, extendable if necessary. Indeed, she explains:I’m in customer contact, so disfigured like that I can’t work. And then I’m going to go see a plastic surgeon to see if there’s anything he can do so I might have more operations. I don’t know when I will be able to work once more.”
Who is responsible ?
Natacha filed a complaint once morest her attacker, who was arrested and then released by the police, but according to her the fault is shared. The organization of the Feria is also responsible. “In recent years, in general, glass has been replaced by plastic in this type of event. Obviously I resent the person who threw this bottle at me, but if it had only been plastic cups, all this would not have happened.
The spokesman for the city of Herstal, for his part, claims to have heard of the accident. However, the event was organized according to the rules. “There have been meetings between the municipality and the organizers of the Feria beforehand to discuss security, but the city concedes the space where the event is held to the organizer who is then responsible for security. The local police intervene in reinforcement if necessary”.
The organization of the Feria did not wish to answer our questions.