Hall of Fame is an initiative “to be applauded”, but also shows “teething problems”: “His election is a bit strange”

The first 10 portraits hang in the Hall of Fame of the Pro League. Peter Vandenbempt applauds the initiative, but sees that the concept also has some “teething problems”. “There are some surprising presences and absences,” says our football journalist.

Lots of beautiful people in the Brussels Bozar on Monday evening. At the beautiful location, the Pro League unveiled the first 10 laureates for its brand new Hall of Fame.

Among the guests was Peter Vandenbempt, who looked back on the event with pleasure the day later.

“It was a nice evening with not too many people and only people from football. Everyone who was there enjoyed it. Even players who won and experienced everything in their career were beaming with pride.”

Vandenbempt therefore applauds the initiative from the Pro League.

“I think it’s great,” said our football man. “Honoring heroes from the past certainly has a valuable place in the football experience. Although there are also a few teething problems that need to be corrected here and there, but that is fairly inevitable.”

Because – as with almost every election – there was some discussion afterwards about the 10 chosen ones. Opinions were divided, among other things, about the spot for Thomas Buffel.

“His election is the result of a good campaign by Racing Genk,” says Vandenbempt. “All respect for the career of Thomas Buffel – he was a pioneer and figurehead for many years – but now already in the top 10 I find it a bit strange. Especially when you consider who is not there.”

“Oh well, in any case it is always a difficult exercise around 50 years of Belgian football with many famous names. With so many great football players from home and abroad, a few always fall overboard. Two new laureates are added every year. So maybe In 5 years we will already have a corrected Hall of Fame.”

I understand that you want interaction with the fans, but then you would be open to strange twists.

Peter Vandenbempt

Vandenbempt hopes that less weight will be given to the fans’ votes in the future.

“I understand that you want interaction with the fans, but that would leave the door open for strange twists. I would reduce the input from the public and increase the weight of the people in the Hall of Fame.”

If Vandenbempt were in charge, he would immediately add 3 ex-legends.

“Let’s start with Enzo Scifo and Robbie Rensenbrink, but Marc Degryse is also one of the 10 best players our competition has ever had.”