There is growing unrest within Antwerp about the club’s financial situation. The supporters openly criticize chairman Paul Gheysens and the way the club is managed.
Financial questions about Antwerp
Some supporters accuse Gheysens of taking resources from the club, while they themselves pay high ticket prices and the sporting results remain variable. The criticism is fueled by reports that recent outgoing transfers serve not only to close the financial holes at Antwerp, but also at Ghelamco. “That doesn’t make sense,” Gheysens recently said to Gazet van Antwerpen.
He indicated that he feels targeted in the current climate. “In Belgium you are targeted quite quickly these days. Everyone just says something.” Despite this denial, the call for clarity remains strong.
Antwerp is now trying to become more financially independent. Thanks to a loan, the club was already able to build a grandstand without additional input from the chairman. However, an additional investor or acquirer remains desirable to remain competitive.
Antwerp has not yet submitted annual accounts
After the protests, Gheysens could not be reached. Two months ago he emphasized that the club made a nice profit for the first time, mainly thanks to transfers. Yet Antwerp remains the only first division club without submitted annual accounts.
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The deadline to do that has long passed. Each working day of delay costs 2,500 euros. This week the counter could go towards sixty days, which amounts to 150,000 euros, the newspaper calculated. In financially tight times, this is a significant additional burden and actually a waste of money.
