NYON, Switzerland – A Belgian soccer team has been cleared to make gestures of support before a game for workers from the town's Ford factory that is set to close.
Officials from the Genk team wanted their players to wear black armbands Thursday for the Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon. The decision came after Ford Motor Co. announced the 4,500-employee plant will close within two years because of falling sales in Europe.
European soccer's governing body says the club may use the video board and make a public-address announcement before the game starts.
Workers protested Thursday by burning cars at the gates of the 50-year-old factory, which makes the Mondeo and Galaxy models. Ford is a sponsor of UEFA's Champions League but not the second-tier Europa League.
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