By Samindra Kunti
March 2 – Royal Antwerp F.C. has taken another step in the process of obtaining a license for the Belgian second division after entrepreneur Patrick Decuyper settled €600,000 of debts.
Antwerp is Belgium’s oldest club. English students, residing in the port city, founded the club in 1880. ‘The Great Old’ were Belgian champions four times, winning a last title in 1957.
The club has been in decline though since the late 90’s, playing mostly in the second division, the Proximus League, and facing a debt crisis, owing creditors up to €2.5 million.
Patrick Decuyper, an entrepreneur and former CEO of top-flight club Zulte Waregem, has stepped in to help Antwerp. Decuyper was the driving force behind Zulte Waregem’s youth academy, Essevee Soccer School. He considers Antwerp’s urban environment to be fertile football ground.
“I’m going to save Antwerp and make it a wonderful club again along with a lot of people, with all the fans,” said Decuyper.
He is not responsible for financing the operation. “Antwerp’s balance sheet didn’t look good,” explained Decuyper. “I have searched and found people who provided me the money,” he says. “But they’d rather stay a bit in the background at the moment.”
“Royal Antwerp F.C. confirms that discussions are ongoing with Mr. Patrick Decuyper regarding a possible acquisition of a majority stake in the club,” said the club in an official statement.
Last week Decuyper and his backers reached an agreement with one of Antwerp’s main creditors, former chairman Eddy Wauters. On Wednesday Decuyper paid €600,000 in overdue wages and taxes. It is a first and key step for the club to get a license, allowing Antwerp to continue to play in the Proximus League.
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