The front against competition reform is growing, with the addition of AA Gent. Previously, three second division teams – Francs Borains, Lokeren and Seraing – decided to go to the Belgian Court of Arbitration for Sport (BAS), in protest against the mandatory presence of four U23 teams of first division teams in the Challenger Pro League.
The three clubs criticized the lax attitude of the Pro League after an earlier ruling by the Belgian Competition Authority (BMA). It ruled that the U23 quota could at first glance “infringe competition rules”, but saw no reason to impose temporary measures. As a result, the Pro League did not find it necessary to make adjustments.
The U23 teams are a thorn in their side: Pro League saga continues now that three second division teams are moving to the BAS
Table of Contents
- The U23 teams are a thorn in their side: Pro League saga continues now that three second division teams are moving to the BAS
- INTERVIEW. AA Gent chairman Sam Baro was the only one who wanted to retain the G5 play-offs: “Without tension you open the door to match-fixing”
- His father would have been so proud: how the late Mister Michel passed on his love for purple and white to his son and new Anderlecht chairman Michael
AA Gent now supports the resistance of Francs Borains, Lokeren and Seraing, and like them argues that the quota goes against the sporting spirit of the competition. “It is also very important for us to get Jong Gent into the Challenger Pro League. But I think it is logical to achieve that by playing champions ourselves. Downers, up, that is the system,” AA Gent owner Sam Baro said about this earlier in this newspaper. However, it is not entirely clear what exactly the three second division teams intended with their move to the BAS, possibly they wanted to exert pressure to initiate dialogue within the Pro League.
AA Gent’s intention is clear: the Buffaloes want to maintain a competition with play-offs. The club is still considering whether it will intervene in the procedure at the BAS, or whether it will request the annulment of the competition reform via the BMA or a corporate court.
INTERVIEW. AA Gent chairman Sam Baro was the only one who wanted to retain the G5 play-offs: “Without tension you open the door to match-fixing”
All-or-nothing choice
If the BAS annuls the measure, AA Gent will demand that the entire competition format be reconsidered. According to the club, the vote on the new format – eighteen teams without play-offs from next season – was explicitly linked to the approval of the U23 quota. Clubs could not vote separately on both parts, but had to make an all-or-nothing choice. RC Genk also ultimately voted in favor, despite years of support for a competition with play-offs.
The change of power at Anderlecht also plays a role in the background. Wouter Vandenhaute, who as chairman helped push for a competition without play-offs, has now resigned. The question is whether the new board views it in the same way.
