The final stage of the competition match between Westerlo and Genk could still spell the end for both clubs. Because the match was “frozen” by both teams, the Federal Prosecutor's Office demanded the suspension of coaches Wouter Franken and Rik De Mel. Players risk paying a fine.
The final five minutes of the regular season have been much discussed. Genk, who was certain of qualifying for the Champions League, and Westerlo, who was certain of retaining it, calmly passed the ball at 1-1. Salon drawing.
The Westerlo board could do nothing but laugh at the hoax and fire coach Rick De Mel. But it does not stop there, because the Federal Prosecutor's Office is now also demanding sanctions.
The 22 players who were on the field risk having to pay a fine of €1,000. “The Federal Prosecutor's Office holds all players partly responsible for the lack of sportsmanship,” he added.
A double amount is required from Nicolas Madsen (Westerlo) and Joris Kayembe (Genk), because they exchanged the ball in front of the penalty area. He also asked them to stop the match for two days.
The coaches were not spared either. The National Prosecutor's Office wants Wouter Franken and Rik De Mel to be suspended for three matches, two of which will be effective.
It is no coincidence that the Federal Prosecutor's Office is demanding the most severe penalties for coaches. He added: “The only people who could have stopped this unsporting scene because they could influence the players were the coaches, which did not happen (consciously).”
“It is impossible to determine who took the initiative, and no one would feel called upon to make statements about it,” the federal prosecutor said.
For him, the ultimate responsibility lies with coaches Franken and De Mel: “It is absolutely unbelievable that they could not stop this spectacle.”
The last five minutes of the Westerlo-Genk match were a mockery of fair play.
Federal Prosecutor's Office
“The last five minutes of the Westerlo-Genk match were a mockery of fair play,” the Federal Prosecutor's Office explained. “This not only goes against the rules of the game, but it is clearly unfair compared to the other teams that were still competing for the champions' playoff ticket,” he added.
“The Federal Prosecutor's Office classifies this as blatant fraud. It goes without saying that this shabby display has not benefited the image of Belgian football.”
Genk and Westerlo also threaten to pay a fine of 10,000 euros.
The Professional Football Disciplinary Committee must now decide on the claim of the Federal Prosecutor's Office. No date has been set for this yet.
Penalties at a glance
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