If a draw suits both teams and they stop playing, what happens? Belgian clubs Westerlo and Genk tried… And had problems.
On March 17, for the 30th and final day of the classic phase of the Belgian Championship, the two clubs, which had different objectives but the same need for points, faced each other. With a few minutes to go, the looming 1-1 draw suited everyone: Genk qualified for the “Championship Group” and Westerlo avoided the “Relegation Group”.
The Genk players therefore embarked on an endless pass with ten players, during the last five minutes of added time. Westerlo, who didn’t want to take any risks, let it happen. In a surreal sequence, Nicolas Madsen (Westerlo) and Joris Kayembe (Genk), who therefore do not wear the same jersey, does a one-two near the surface.
Same punishment for both clubs
This Monday, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Belgian Football Union (URBSFA) proposed its sanctions to those involved in the Westerlo-Genk match (1-1), which it sees as a “sham of fairness”, with the same scale for both clubs. Those interested can accept the transaction or refuse it, in which case the file will be transmitted on Tuesday to the Disciplinary Committee of the Belgian Football Union.
Westerlo and Genk received a proposed fine of 10,000 euros. Coaches Rik De Mil (Westerlo) – dismissed by his managers for unsporting behavior and who has since rebounded in Charleroi – and Wouter Vrancken (Genk) would receive three match suspensions, one of which was suspended, as well as a fine of 2,500 euros. Madsen and Kayembe (Genk) would risk two matches of suspension, with a fine of 2,000 euros.
The twenty other players who were on the field at that time of the match were offered a fine of 1,000 euros.
2024-03-25 18:16:00
#involved #WesterloGenk #match #sanctioned #stopping #play #preserve #draw
