By Samindra Kunti
February 17 – Belgian second division club RAEC Mons has filed for bankruptcy at the local commercial court after prolonged financial difficulty.
The club was founded in 1910 as Olympique Mons, but was renamed Albert-Elisabeth Club de Mons with the explicit permission of the royal court to honor the marriage of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth.
Last year RAEC Mons was relegated from the Jupiler Pro League, Belgian’s topflight. The walloon club is seventh in the second division with 43 points, 19 behind league leaders Sint Truiden. Bergen defeated Virton 4-0 last weekend.
“I was the chairman of Mons for 14 years,” said Domenico Leone. “I feel emotionally connected to the club and I made big investments. For a few years now my presidency has entailed investments for the development of the club, the first team and the youth complex.”
At the end of 2014 Leone had already hinted that Mons were in financial trouble. Leone injected €420,000 in Mons this season, but by November the club was in need of another €1.5 million. Mons estimated a revenue stream of €1.8 million for the 2014/15 season, but expenditure was running at €3.3 million.
“I can’t and don’t want to put more money at the disposal of Mons,” said Leone. “In the second division the club is facing a shortage of revenue, compared with the cost. Some major sponsors have also not renewed their contract and the search [for new sponsors] didn’t yield anything.”
An official auditor has been appointed who will decide whether Mons can continue to play this season. If not, then the club’s results will be annulled.
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