Belgian professional football has been plunged back under scrutiny following recent discussions aimed at reforming its league structure, prompting notable figures to voice their concerns. Mehdi Bayat, CEO of Charleroi, and Georges-Louis Bouchez, President of Club Brugge, have emerged at the forefront of these debates during the assembly of football officials aimed at restructuring the competition.
The discussions unfolded on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the esteemed Wings Headquarters, bringing together representatives from the 28 professional football clubs of Belgium. These meetings come on the heels of significant challenges brought about by financial instability and declining interest among the youth demographics, especially following the recent bankruptcy of Deinze on December 11.
At the core of the dialogue was the proposal to revert the league structure back to 18 teams without playoff rounds, which many believe diminishes the competitive spirit of the game. Bouchez harshly criticized this decision, stating, "I don’t believe this is the right decision. It is a step backward for Belgian football, which shows the management problems still present within Belgian football. This reflects the apathy toward public expectations, particularly with the younger audience. Every competition worldwide is developing, yet here we are regressing. What we've lost is the excitement and stability of the Challenger Pro League. If we reconfigure our U23 club system, teams finishing as low as 10th could still be relegated, which raises serious fairness concerns. We need a comprehensive vision for football. Until we can generate increased revenue, we will struggle to meet fans’ entertainment desires. People are craving excitement, which we have during the playoffs. If we abandon this element, we might be heading down the wrong path."
Supporting Bouchez, Bayat echoed similar sentiments about the need to secure the league’s integrity and competitive nature. He stated, "Democracy is the most important thing, and clubs decided to return to 18 teams. While this may seem boring to some—including myself—there is hope this will stabilize the sport's integrity, even if points redemption gives some discomfort. Major leagues are transforming to meet their audience's needs; the management should reflect on our league's potential to attract supporters back to the stands and screens."
The backdrop of this pivotal meeting arose from rising pressures exerted primarily by the G5 clubs—Anderlecht, Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, and Genk—alongside Standard, which voiced significant demands to reduce the league match days from 40, citing aspirations of European competitiveness as their driving force. Their open letter sent to K11 and Division Two clubs three weeks prior underscored their urgent need for operational flexibility.
Although both options for reform—one favoring 18 teams without playoffs and the other proposing 16 teams with playoffs—were considered last week, the final decision tiptoed around consensus. A working group touted a solution believed to meet immediate requirements for the upcoming season: the implementation of 18 teams, eschewing playoff systems entirely and replacing relegation playoffs with single knockout matches for teams finishing 16th, going against results from 2nd to 6th place playoff teams from Division Two. This proposed format seeks to improve relegation procedures, ensuring two elite teams from Division Two automatically gain promotion.
The outcome of this reform meeting suggests the clubs are inclined to restore competitive balance and reliability within the league, albeit with heavy criticism looming from leaders like Bayat and Bouchez. Critically, as clubs collectively grapple with these pressing transformations, it remains clear they must integrate viewer expectations and marketing strategy innovations to keep the sport vibrant and engaging for the public’s enthusiasm for football.
Looking forward, the league authorities will need to find appealing ways to maintain excitement and draw in younger audiences, as the decisions made now might alter the future of Belgian professional football. The sentiments of influential figures like Bayat and Bouchez indicate growing awareness of public sentiment, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive plans to revitalize the sport and engage loyal fans.