The Pro League Board of Directors has granted a special mandate to the duo Wouter Vandenhaute (Anderlecht)–Vincent Mannaert (FC Bruges). Following the departure of the former president Peter Croonen (Genk), they will manage the institution for the next six months. Other changes have taken place at the head of professional football. Pierre Francois, who held the position of CEO, resigned. Finally Michel Louwagie (La Gantoise) and Bruno Venanzi (Standard).
“The mandate should restore confidence in our football, both internally and externally. The Pro League is ahead of difficult months. It must find a new CEO and a new president, and intensify discussions with the authorities concerning security in the stadiums, the fight against racism, the management and consequences of Covid, and the new (para)fiscal rules. In the coming weeks, Wouter, with the full support of Vincent, will take the lead in external relations and league communication.“, details the press release from the Pro League.
“I agree to take on this role and I am happy to be able to count on Vincent Mannaert in this complex process. Football absolutely needs all the know-how today. It is essential to join forces and close ranks. I feel the absolute will of many of my colleagues to pursue relentlessly on the path of more transparent and sound management. Rather than standing beside or above her like a white knight, I want to help modernize and improve our football from within. In terms of youth training, we are currently an example for many other footballing countries, and the ambition to make great progress in terms of infrastructure is greater than ever. We must now try to regain the social support that we have to some extent lost “, declare Wouter Vandenhaute.
Michel Louwagie and Bruno Venanzi, quoted in Footgate, have resigned. “temporarily to their mandate within the RBFA“. They are replaced for the Pro League by Sven Jaecques (Antwerp) et Alexandre Grosjean (Standard).
Note that Vincent Mannaert also figures in the list of 57 persons (natural or legal) referred to justice.
