March 29 – Politician Lorin Parys has become the new CEO of the Belgian Pro League, the body announced on Monday.
Parys (pictured) will exit N-VA, the right-wing Flemish political party he has served since 2014, to take up his new role.
In January, Vincent Mannaert (Club Brugge) and Wouter Vandenhaute (Anderlecht) were handed a special mandate to lead the body that oversees Belgium’s top two divisions following the exit of Pierre Francois.
The pair went in search of a successor for Francois and with Parys they have found someone from outside the game. The new CEO however does have some experience in football, having served as COO of Club Brugge for a year.
“It is my ambition to grow football as a sport, as a social engine and as an economic sector,” said Parys.
In recent months, the Pro League and its clubs have lurched from one scandal to the next, with the ‘Clean Hands’ investigation into match-fixing and corruption by judicial authorities as well as crowd disturbances and racism problems in the stands.
“Lorin will be the face of professional football in Belgium, but behind the scenes he will develop relations with the clubs, the Voetbalbond, ACFF, Voetbal Vlaanderen, partners and policy and lead the organization,” said the Pro League in a statement. “We wish him all the support and success.”
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