By Samindra Kunti
February 23 – League reform was high on the agenda at a meeting of Belgian’s Pro League following plenty of discontent over the play-offs system, which was introduced in the 2009/10 season. A 14-team league in the current format with play-offs has been mooted as viable future alternative.
Ever since the new format was introduced, Play-off 2, which has just one ticket for the Europa League at stake, failed to inspire clubs and generate public interest. Play-off 1, with Champions League tickets and the league title at stake, was divisive for halving the number of points a team had earned during the regular season, reducing the sporting merit of consistent performances and results.
At a meeting of the Pro League, with the presidents of Belgian’s 24 pro clubs in attendance, the future and the format of Belgian’s topflight was discussed. The Pro League proposed five formats, but seemed insistent on a 14-team league in the current format with play-offs. The clubs, however, couldn’t attain a consensus.
“It is a very difficult dossier,” said Pro League CEO Pierre Francois. There are a lot of opinions and a lot of suggestions. The current formula also remains a possibility.”
A change in the league format requires a majority of 80% during the current cycle of TV rights. After June 30, 2020, a two-thirds majority suffices. Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Standard, AA Gent, RC Genk and Zulte Waregem – Belgium’s top clubs – all have three votes, the other clubs in the topflight two and the clubs from Division 1B just a single vote.
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