A scandal of proportions was uncovered in Belgium during the closing of the regular season of the national championship of that country, because Genk and Westerlo They tied 1-1 on the last day of the first phase and the result was marked by striking scenes between the two teams, which were favored by the score, but They now face an investigation into a possible on-field arrangement..
Both needed a point to achieve their goals because the local team, Westerlo was saved from relegation, while its rival wanted to achieve that unity to enter the championship zone (it displaced Gent), which grants the fight for the title and the possibility of qualifying for the UEFA champions league. The emotions waited until the last quarter of an hour of the match because Ravil Tagir He overtook the homeowner after 80 minutes and Bryan Heynen tied for the visit at 86′. From there, the game was over.
The images of the transmission are eloquent. Genk never tried to go in search of victory and their opponents avoided putting pressure on them, despite having one more man for the expulsion of Christopher Bonsu Baah. The referee’s looks spoke for themselves in the face of the atypical situation that he observed, because one of the players even took the opportunity to make physical exercises added to the fact that two protagonists They shook hands before the final whistle.
However, the most surprising action of the duel carried out on March 17 occurred when Joris Kayembefrom Genk, gave the ball to Nicolas Madsenfrom Westerlo, as if it were a practice between teammates. Madsen had a chance to shoot at the goal because the goalkeeper, Maarten Vandevoordt, was poorly positioned and, in fact, the goalkeeper tried to quickly get under the three posts, but the owner of the ball avoided converting and returned it to his rival.
What happened in Antwerp led to an investigation, because those responsible for the Belgian Football Association denounced a “farce of impartiality” in the result and a “parody”. Severe sanctions are being studied for the coaches and all the footballers who were on the field.
Awaiting the hearing that will take place on April 5, the Belgian Radio Television of the French Community (RTBF) specified the proposal of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Belgian Football Union (URBSFA): a two-match suspension for the technical directors, Rik De Mil (Westerlo) and Wouter Vrancken (Genk), added to a fine of 2,500 euros; two-match suspension for Madsen and Kayembe plus a financial penalty of 2,000 euros; In addition, the two clubs would pay 10,000 euros as punishment and the other 20 players would have to pay 1,000 euros.
As if something were missing, there is a coach who will not be able to serve a possible sanction at his club because Rik De Mil was removed from his duties. This is what the entity communicated: “The club has terminated the contract with the coach with immediate effect. Despite considering a long-term collaboration, we have been forced to make this decision. The club regrets having to take this measure, but cannot accept that his values and norms are questioned. We thank Rik for his performance and dedication, and we wish him much success in the future.”
The Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes the counselors because they were “the only ones who could have prevented this unsportsmanlike scene, because they could influence the players, they were the coaches, which did not happen (consciously).” The statement from this organization was published by the British newspaper The Sun and states: “It is impossible to determine who took the initiative, and no one would feel called to make statements about it. It’s absolutely unbelievable that they couldn’t stop this show”. They described the case as a “blatant fraud.”.
