Sigh of relief at the Pro League: Westerlo gets un …

The Antwerp commercial court has proved KVC Westerlo wrong on Thursday in summary proceedings that the Kempen club had brought against the Pro League and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA). Westerlo remains in 1B and the competition in 1A can start next weekend with eighteen teams.

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Westerlo felt it deserved its place in 1A because the Pro League and the Football Association have contradicted themselves. On May 15, it was decided that the promotion final of 1B was yet to be played, and that if it could no longer be played, Westerlo would rise to 1A as the winner of the regular season. In the end, the promotion final was played, but the loser of the final – OHL – also went to first division. Westerlo felt that it has at least as much right as the people of Leuven to participate in 1A next season.

“As is regrettably the case, lobbying on the day of the board of directors and the general meeting caused another ill-considered ad hoc decision to be made, not only against the recommendation of the Pro League management and the (numerous) legal advisers of the Pro League and the RBFA, but who, according to Westerlo, are also manifestly illegal ”, it sounded.

The club demanded “to be added to Division 1A, to suspend at least the start of the 2020-2021 competition and not to implement the 2020-2021 fixture pending a new, lawful decision or the outcome of the substantive procedure to be started by KVC Westerlo. ”

The case was already brought before the Antwerp corporate court on Tuesday. Westerlo hoped for a ruling on Friday, less than 24 hours before the start of the competition. This was also done, but with a negative result for the Kemphanen. They have to work again in 1B. Relief at the Pro League, because that is how the competition can finally start without an ongoing lawsuit.

Incidentally, it was the Turkish owner of Westerlo who directed legal proceedings after the general meeting of the Pro League. Westerlo was the only one who voted against the proposal to form a league with eighteen. Pro League chairman Peter Croonen admitted that a league with twenty provides more legal legal certainty, but the Pro League did not want to expand the highest league with four teams. In a competition with twenty, (mini) play-offs were no longer possible.

Westerlo does not appeal: “Via top performances on the field to 1A”

In the meantime, Westerlo responded to the decision of the company court. The club takes note of the order of the chairman of the Antwerp company court, dismissing the club’s claim.

“In the interest of Belgian football, Westerlo will not appeal against the decision so that the football competition in 1A can simply start this weekend,” the club reports.

“Our club is now focusing further on preparing for the competition in 1B and will do everything in its power to claim its place in the division where our proud club belongs: 1A.

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