The new television contract has been signed, it remains to be implemented. The Pro League will get on with it after the New Year. However, some lobbying has already started, internally.
Make alliances, compromises. There is already a lot of discussion behind the scenes between the various leaders of Belgian professional football. It will not be easy to find a new competition format for which two-thirds of the class will agree.
Bruges will not change its mind and is supported by other “big guys”
One thing is certain: Club Brugge will stick to its positions. The Venice of the North club, which has become the largest in Belgium over the last ten years, wants fewer matches. Maintaining the current format is not an option for Bart Verhaeghe.
The Club wants to be better prepared for its European meetings. The fact that the Belgian calendar is so busy is therefore a thorn in their side. Bruges wanted a traditional competition, without Play-Offs, but did not receive much support.
Particularly because the mini-competition between the six best teams offers high-level matches every week, and DAZN does not want to do without it. Neither do other big clubs, because more top-level matches mean more revenue.
Four options studied
FCB, however, benefits from the support of Antwerp, Genk and Anderlecht. Which is already not bad, considering the impact of these clubs. They also want to abolish the division of points, on which there is a broad consensus.
Four options are currently on the table: retain the current format, a D1A of 16 teams with Play-Offs of 4, a D1A of 14 teams with Play-Offs of 6, or a simple regular competition, with 18 teams.
For every option, there are detractors. The small clubs do not want a reduction in the number of teams in D1A, while the big clubs want fewer matches, but a conservation of the Play-Offs which generate much more income.
Everything will come down to negotiations. Compensation will have to be provided to try to satisfy everyone, but receiving two thirds of positive opinions will be anything but obvious for Lorin Parys, who tries to direct the conversations in the right direction. After all, there is likely to be friction at the negotiating table.
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