Manager sacked, both captains banned and every player fined after top-flight match 'fixed'
The repercussions have already been felt following a controversial match in the Belgian top-flight, with the country's Federal Prosecutor's Office getting involved
Belgian prosecutors have slammed a display of "blatant cheating" as top-flight teams Genk and Westerlo played out a 1-1 draw which saw the ball passed around for the final few minutes with the scoreline suiting both teams.
Genk needed a point from the game to make it through to the Belgian Pro League 's championship play-offs, which could see them end the campaign with a Champions League or Europa League spot. Westerlo will avoid a relegation play-off as they sit a point clear of rivals Charleroi before the league splits into its end-of-season play-off segments.
The top six teams in the 16-team top tier will compete for the title and Champions League qualification, with the next six are in contention for a lesser European competition. The final four go into the relegation play-off, which will see two relegated directly and a third play off against a team from the second tier.
While Genk and Westerlo got the result they needed on the pitch, the repercussions for players and management has been severe. Things aren't over, either, with the Belgian federal prosecutor's office getting involved.
"KVC Westerlo completely disassociates itself from the way the match unfolded during the last five minutes," said in a statement dated March 18. The strugglers had a one-man advantage when rivals Genk scored an 86th-minute equaliser, but numerous reports point to their players passing the ball around rather than chasing a winner.
"These were circumstances over which the club had no control," the statement continued. "We will further investigate and consider whether any concrete measures need to be taken."
The following day, manager Rik de Mil was dismissed by the club. "The club regrets having to take this measure but cannot accept that its values and norms would be questioned," they said upon taking the decision to part ways with their boss after just a few months.
De Mil and Genk boss Wouter Vrancken had both been handed two-match bans, while captains of both sides have been suspended. All 21 players on the pitch at the final whistle - Genk's Christopher Bonsu Baah had earlier been dismissed - have been fined €1,000 (£854).
"The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office holds all players partly responsible for the lack of sportsmanship," the office said, as reported by Belgian outlet Sporza. Westerlo's Nicolas Madsen and Joris Kayembe of Genk, have been handed larger fines and two-match bans after reportedly playing a one-two on the edge of the penalty area.
"The only people who could have stopped this non-sporting spectacle because they could influence the players were the trainers, which (consciously) did not happen," the prosecutor's office statement continued. "It is impossible to determine who took the initiative, no one will feel called to make statements about it."
The Belgian top-flight resumes this weekend with the play-off round getting underway. Westerlo face Sint-Truiden on Sunday, with Genk taking on Union SG the following day.
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