April 30 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) have begun the procedure which will determine if KV Mechelen and Waasland-Beveren will be relegated to the second tier of Belgian football after accusations of match-fixing on the final day of last season.
To date 13 individuals have been implicated in the investigation. Belgium’s Mechelen and Waasland-Beveren face relegation over match-fixing charges were summoned to the FA on Tuesday as the governing body laid out the agenda for the process that will decide their fate.
Relegated Lokeren, now in the lower division 1B, Tubeke, Beerschot Wilrijk, who were defeated by KV Mechelen for promotion, the Malinwa supporters body and KVM supporters have become involved in the case as third parties (the fan groups are shareholders involved in day-to-day operations at the club).
If KV Mechelen and Waasland-Beveren are convicted of match-fixing, Lokeren and Beerschot Wilrijk will play in the topflight next season and Tubeke would remain in 1B.
On May 27-28, the KBVB wants to give the accused a final chance to defend themselves, but on May 26 there is a play off between the fourth placed team in play-off group I and the winner of play-off II, which allows for a number of different scenarios: if KV Mechelen wins the Belgian Cup, there are two possibilities. On the one hand Mechelen can be acquitted in the match-fixing saga, receive a European license and play in the Europe League next season. On the other hand if Mechelen are convicted they won’t receive a European license and the number 5 of Play-off I will play the final play-off match.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734935749labto1734935749ofdlr1734935749owedi1734935749sni@o1734935749fni1734935749