We learned this Monday, January 17, several resignations shook the top of Belgian football. Pierre François has resigned from his position as CEO of the Pro League, which he had held for 7 years. Michel Louwagie (La Gantoise) and Bruno Venanzi (Standard), representatives of the Pro League at the Belgian Union, have also, at the request of the RBFA, taken a step aside. These last two, designated in the Footgate, will be replaced by Sven Jaecques (Antwerp) et Alexandre Grosjean (Standard). The CEO will leave his place to Vincent Mannaert (Bruges), also cited in the issue of the Footgate.
This decision (taken to “restore the image of Belgian football”) of the Belgian Union raised questions on the set of La Tribune for the start of the 2022 school year.
For Marc Delire, it’s surreal: “We dismiss two people who are part of the 57 (people sent to justice as part of the footgate, editor’s note) to put one at the head, who is also part of this list. I do not understand. Louwagie and Venanzi are presumed innocent, as is Mannaert, so why do they have to leave?”
Thomas Chatelle judge that “catastrophic in terms of image.” And Cécile de Gernier continues: “I don’t understand what all these people are for. They are very good at their club but that’s it. It’s still a big joke all that. Besides, we always give the reins to the big clubs so that means say that in terms of tax benefits and everything around it, we only think about that.”
According to Marc Delire: “They are going to protect themselves more than ever between themselves, between big people, between big people.” And Phillip Albert fully agree: “Wolves don’t eat each other. I’ve been saying it for years, football is rotten to the core.”
One solution is voiced by former footballer Thomas Chatelle: “The best would be to find an outside CEO, who does not belong to any club.” Marc and Philippe do not join him completely because they have seen in the past that despite the good intentions, in particular those of Marc Coucke cited by Philippe, the arrangements “among friends” take over.
