.png)
8 months ago
53
Belgian football has been hit with a 'fix' scandal after Westerlo's 1-1 draw with Genk on the final day of the regular season.
Both sides went into the game in need of a point, with Westerlo looking to avoid relegation and Genk needing the same to finish sixth and secure qualification for the Championship round.
Genk scored an 86th minute equaliser and not long after the two teams appeared to stop playing.
Despite having an extra man following a Genk red card earlier in the game, Westerlo allowed their opponents to pass the ball amongst themselves, as it appeared both sides were happy to see out the game with the score level.
Players even shook hands before the full-time whistle instead of attempting to go for the victory.
Genk players passed the ball between them as they and Westerlo appeared to play out a 1-1 draw in the final minutes of the game with both sides in need of a point
Genk (manager Wouter Vrancken) needed a point to qualify for the Championship Round while Westerlo needed a point to avoid dropping into the relegation play-offs
Players appeared to shake hands instead of pushing for the victory in the final moments of the game before full-time
Referee Lawrence Visser was seen speaking to some of the players as play stopped
🇧🇪Westerlo's manager has been sacked, both captains banned and every player fined after they and Genk shook hands on a 1-1 draw in Belgium before full time.
The result saw Genk reach the Champions League round and Westerlo the Conference League play-off.pic.twitter.com/dowMBjw0La
Genk manager Wouter Vrancken was spotted laughing on the sidelines, while referee Lawrence Visser was seen speaking to some of the players appearing to be bemused by the situation.
In the wake of the match, Westerlo announced that they had sacked manager Rik De Mil.
Their statement read: 'The club has terminated the contract with head coach Rik De Mil with immediate effect.
'Despite considering long-term collaboration, we found it necessary to make this decision.
'The club regrets having to take this measure but cannot accept that its values and norms would be questioned. We thank Rik for his performance and dedication, and wish him every success in the future.'
A day earlier a prior statement read: 'KVC Westerlo completely distances itself from the way the match went during the last five minutes. Facts over which the club had no influence whatsoever.'
'The last five minutes of Westerlo-Genk were a mockery of fair play,' the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said as per Belgian publication Sporza. 'This is not only against the rules of the game, it is also manifestly unfair compared to other teams that were still in the running for a Champions' Play-off ticket.'
'The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office classifies this as blatant cheating. It goes without saying that this shabby display has not benefited the image of Belgian football.'
It had been a hard fought match up until Genk's 86th minute equaliser but the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office declared that the 'last 5 minutes were a mockery of fair play'
Westerlo announced the game that they had parted ways with manager Rik De Mil
It's also reported that the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office are demanding a suspension for Vrancken and De Mil and that the 21 players who were on the field 'are in danger of having to pay a fine worth 1,000 euros (£855).
The report also claims that Genk and Westerlo could have to pay a fine of 10,000 euros (£8,500).
Genk manager Vrancken, addressing the potential of a suspension as per Sporza, said: 'If you don't do anything wrong, it's incomprehensible. I'm not like that, simple.
'The boys played for the Champions' Play-offs. At that moment we were on the field with 9.5 players. (Christopher) Baah got red and (Bryan) Heynen could barely walk. Then you didn't have to take any risks.
'There are people from the club working on the profession. For the rest, I will see how things go.'
English (US)