While the investigation of the “Footbelgate” is close to being completed by the Belgian justice, a documentary produced by Thierry Luthers and Patrick Remacle highlights some new elements. Including the fact that matches in 2014 and 2017 would have been influenced by agents and a referee, Sébastien Delferière.
Dn a 66-minute documentary broadcast on RTBF this Wednesday evening, Thierry Luthers and Patrick Remacle highlight the excesses of several players in the world of Belgian football. If some things had already been read and heard since the outbreak of the “Footbelgate” in October 2018, the two journalists highlighted some new facts and other details on certain files. Not very shining for the world of Belgian football where the inter-self and the opacity raise questions.
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Olivier Renard would have touched 75,000 on transfers
Having negotiated a status of “repentant”, Dejan Veljkovic explained to the courts how he worked to carry out kickbacks by establishing false “scouting” or “consulting” contracts with Belgian clubs. What the Serbian agent calls “blah blah reports”. “Veljkovic offered a turnkey system for clubs,” says Michael Dantinne, criminologist at the University of Liège. There is in particular a “scouting” contract of 100,000 euros for Cimirot, a median currently at Standard who had already been spotted by the Liège management a year before his arrival on the banks of the Meuse. Leaders would have taken advantage of the system. According to the RTBF documentary, Olivier Renard, former sports director of Standard, would have received 75,000 euros from transfers. Information obtained by investigators who pushed Bruno Venanzi, president of the Liège institution, to file a complaint against six people including Renard.
Mogi Bayat watches to influence matches?
In the 2013-14 season, Anderlecht came a long way to clinch a league title long promised at Standard. In particular thanks to a victory against Genk (4-0). A Limburg team visibly much more pugnacious a few days later against Bruges. “In 2014, Mogi gave watches to players,” said a pro player who remained anonymous in the documentary. This echoes a discussion where Bruno Venanzi tells Roland Duchâtelet that “Mogi bought matches with mounts”. ““ I was laughing about it at first, ”says the Limburg businessman. Until I heard about the empty watch boxes at the “Footbelgate”. An object obviously very used in the world of football. “It’s a gateway,” confirms Dantinne. A former leader indicates anonymously that Mogi Bayat had offered him a watch for 50,000 euros. Refusal of the leader who indicates that Bayat would have added “that he has the power to know who will be relegated at the end of the season. “
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Gohi Bi Cyriac, an extension that questions
At the beginning of July 2012, Gohi Bi Cyriac transferred from Standard to Anderlecht. Not the easiest path for a player when you know the rivalry between the two clubs. But the documentary reveals more surprising details. A few months earlier, Cyriac, with the help of… Mogi Bayat as agent, negotiated a new contract. His salary is increased but the duration of his contract – June 2013 – is not extended. Which is however usually commonplace. There is still more astonishing. A release clause is added stipulating that Cyriac can leave for two million euros without restriction of destination. The Ivorian joined Anderlecht who had mandated… Mogi Bayat. “From there, I said to myself: I no longer work with Mogi”, affirms Duchâtelet who also separated from Pierre François, his managing director at the time of the Cyriac “deal”, a few months later.
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After Hanni’s extension, Van Holsbeeck would have received two watches for 40,000 euros
In the spring of 2017, Dejan Veljkovic talks with Herman Van Holsbeeck about Sporting extending Sofiane Hanni. The manager of Anderlecht is not against and wants to make sure with the Serbian agent that “everything will go well” in Brugge during a decisive “Topper” for the title a few days later. Veljkovic then exchanges with Sébastien Delferière, referee of this meeting, and the latter responds. “Anderlecht will not lose”. If nothing abnormal happens at the Jan Breydel stadium, the RSCA shares (1-1) and will be champions. Shortly later, Hanni extended, Veljkovic obtained a commission of 440,000 euros from Anderlecht and Herman Van Holsbeeck would have received, for him and his wife, two watches worth 40,000 euros.
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No explanation for the Charleroi – Ghent penalties in 2017
In addition to Veljkovic and Bayat, Sébastien Delferière is singled out in the documentary. According to the investigation, the now ex-arbitrator was very close to Dejan Veljkovic with 262 telephone contacts over a year according to the survey data. The duo were so comfortable that Delferière wanted to turn into an agent to place Felice Mazzù in Bruges with the help of the Serbian agent. By asking for a commission in the event of a “deal”. Coincidence or not, Delferière “helped” the coach of Charleroi during a match against Ghent in October 2017. On two occasions, and despite the presence of VAR, he did not whistle two obvious penalties for the Buffalos. “It is incomprehensible not to whistle the penalty,” confirms Laurent Colemonts, former professional referee. Still, the show does not give an explanation as to what Delferière and / or Veljkovic would have gained by “influencing” the course of this meeting.
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