While the regular competition of the Jupiler Pro League is in its apotheosis, the denouement may also partly take the legal route. On Tuesday, the Belgian Court of Arbitration for Sport (BAS) will make a ruling on the penalty affair between Anderlecht and KRC Genk. That match may have to be replayed.
The day before the Christmas festivities, RSCA and Racing competed against each other at the Lotto Park. Despite a good performance by the Limburgers, Anderlecht would win that match 2-1. But there was a smell to this victory. After all, with the score 0-0, Genk should have retaken a penalty. However, due to an error by the VAR, a free kick was awarded to RSCA.
Shortly after the match, the Professional Refereeing Department (PRD) announced that this was a refereeing blunder. Genk then decided to file a complaint. It even demanded to have the match replayed. The PRD rejected that complaint and stated that it was a ‘human error’. But Racing continued to litigate and the Disciplinary Council did rule that it was a violation of the regulations.
KBVB also involved
Anderlecht then decided to appeal and went to the Evocation Committee, among others. There it was ruled that the Disciplinary Council was indeed authorized to make a ruling that the match must actually be replayed. The BAS must now make a final decision. In principle there are other legal options, but according to The last news the parties involved will accept this ruling.
There was also a special twist during the hearing. So know The Importance of Limburg that a counselor from the football association also intervened. He also argued against replaying the much-discussed match. Striking: the Disciplinary Council and Evocation Committee are two parts of the KBVB, so people argued against the verdict of their own authorities.
Final verdict on Tuesday
AA Gent and Cercle Brugge, who feel disadvantaged if the match is replayed, also had their say. Genk in turn referred to precedents from global football. So let’s wait and see what the three arbitrators of the BAS will judge. The verdict would be announced next Tuesday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. If the match must actually be replayed, this will happen on Wednesday, March 13.
