By Samindra Kunti
April 27 – Belgium’s Pro League has again postponed the decision to rubber-stamp Club Brugge’s coronation as champions because of the evolving lockdown measures in the country. A return to action, however, remains improbable and contradicts a previous recommendation to cancel the season.
On Monday, the Pro League’s Peter Croonen and Pierre Francois, and the Belgian FA’s Mehdi Bayat and Peter Bossaert will meet government representatives to discuss how the easing of the lockdown measures in Belgium, due to come into force on May 4, could reshape the immediate future of the domestic league. As football is not seen as a priority by government officials, a final decision on when the league could return, even behind closed doors, may be delayed.
The Belgian government has, however, prohibited collective training sessions with physical contact until at least June 8. It implies that the league cannot resume before the end of June, which in turn, would require the approval of a majority in the Pro League.
Antwerp chairman Paul Gheysens has been one of the few club officials demanding that the league resume, if and when local authorities green-light such a scenario. He pointed out that the TV rights income may come under threat if the season is not completed, even if a majority of the clubs feel confident about the revenue. The rights holders have already paid and the money has been distributed.
The extended heel-dragging highlights the chaos in the Belgian game. At the start of the month, Belgium, following a meeting of the Pro League’s board of directors, abandoned the rest of the season and crowned Club Brugge champions, but UEFA immediately issued a warning against ending leagues early, threatening expulsion from the Champions League and Europa League.
Despite pressure from the European governing body, the Pro League was to approve the season’s cancellation at a general assembly on April 15. That decision has now been pushed back again.
Top flight clubs KV Oostende, Mouscron and Standard failed to receive pro licenses for next season, but in the second tier of the game the situation is considerably worse. Lokeren, Lommel, Roeselare and Virton were denied a license, potentially leading to the collapse of the eight-team league. The BAS, Belgium’s equivalent of CAS, will review each case on May 10 and is expected to, at least, grant the top flight clubs clemency.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734972165labto1734972165ofdlr1734972165owedi1734972165sni@o1734972165fni1734972165