2020–21 in Belgian football

Football in Belgium
Season2020–21
Men's football
First Division AClub Brugge
First Division BUnion SG
First Amateur Divisionnot held
CupGenk
Super Cupnot held
← 2019–20 Belgium 2021–22 →

The following article is a summary of the 2020–21 football season in Belgium, which is the 118th season of competitive football in the country and will run from August 2020 until June 2021.

Men's football

League season

Promotion and relegation

The following teams had achieved promotion or suffered relegation going into the 2019–20 season.

League Promoted to league Relegated from league
First Division A
  • Beerschot
  • OH Leuven
First Division B
First Division Amateur Division
Second Division Amateur Division
Third Division Amateur Division
  • Anzegem
  • Bambrugge
  • Berlaar-Heikant
  • Binche
  • Crossing Schaerbeek
  • De Kempen
  • Diest
  • Dison
  • Gouvy
  • Koersel
  • Lille
  • Marloie
  • Racing Mechelen
  • Nijlen
  • Oostkamp
  • Rhode-De Hoek
  • Stockel
  • Tamines
  • Voorde-Appelterre
  • Wanze Bas-Oha
  • Bilzen
  • Bornem
  • Ciney
  • Helson Helchteren
  • Kosova Schaerbeek
  • Léopold Uccle
  • Linden
  • Meix-devant-Virton
  • Oostnieuwkerke
  • Spy
  • Walhain
  • Wavre
  • Wingene

Belgian First Division A

Regular season
Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Club Brugge (C) 34 24 4 6 73 26 +47 76 Qualification for the Europa Conference League and Play-offs I[a]
2 Antwerp 34 18 6 10 57 48 +9 60 Qualification for the Play-offs I
3 Anderlecht 34 15 13 6 51 34 +17 58
4 Genk[b] 34 16 8 10 67 48 +19 56
5 Oostende[c] 34 15 8 11 49 41 +8 53 Qualification for the Play-offs II
6 Standard Liège 34 13 11 10 52 41 +11 50
7 Gent 34 14 7 13 55 42 +13 49
8 Mechelen 34 13 9 12 54 54 0 48
9 Beerschot 34 14 5 15 58 64 −6 47
10 Zulte Waregem 34 14 4 16 53 69 −16 46
11 OH Leuven 34 12 9 13 54 59 −5 45
12 Eupen 34 10 13 11 44 55 −11 43
13 Charleroi 34 11 9 14 46 49 −3 42
14 Kortrijk 34 11 6 17 44 57 −13 39
15 Sint-Truiden 34 10 8 16 41 52 −11 38
16 Cercle Brugge 34 11 3 20 40 51 −11 36
17 Waasland-Beveren (R) 34 8 7 19 44 70 −26 31 Qualification for the Relegation play-off
18 Excel Mouscron[c] (R) 34 7 10 17 32 54 −22 31 Relegation to First Division B
Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off.[4]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ The regular season winners will qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League if they do not qualify for the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League in the playoffs or for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League through the 2020–21 Belgian Cup.
  2. ^ Genk qualifies for at least the play-off round of the Europa League through winning the 2021 Belgian Cup.
  3. ^ a b On 14 April 2021 news was released that both Excel Mouscron and Oostende had not received a Belgian professional football license for the coming season, a requirement to play at the top two levels of Belgian football. For Oostende, a lack of financial transparency, together with generally poor quality and incompleteness of the submitted report, was given as the main reason by the committee for not awarding a license, while Excel Mouscron was refused a license as besides insufficient transparency, the committee also questioned several cash flows and whether the club was creditworthy in general, also due to the fact that the wages for the months of February and March had not yet been paid at that point. For Excel Mouscron, it was already the sixth year running the license was (initially) refused, however, the club has appealed the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitrage (BAS) successfully on each occasion and intended to do so again. Oostende was planning to launch an appeal as well, with the BAS to rule on the matter for both clubs before the 10th of May. Both clubs were allowed to add new documents to their case, but in case they however still did not receive a license after appeal, knew they would have been forced to relegate to the 2021–22 Belgian Division 2 and start the season with a 3-point penalty.[1] Both Exel Mouscron and Oostende were however eventually awarded a license after appeal, meaning Oostende remained at the top level, while Excel Mouscron only dropped one level.[2][3]


Belgian First Division B

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Union SG (C, P) 28 22 4 2 69 24 +45 70 Promotion to the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A
2 Seraing (O, P) 28 16 4 8 54 37 +17 52 Qualification to Promotion play-off
3 Lommel 28 13 4 11 49 47 +2 43
4 Westerlo 28 10 13 5 41 30 +11 43
5 Deinze 28 10 9 9 45 46 −1 39
6 RWDM47 28 10 5 13 44 48 −4 35
7 Lierse Kempenzonen[a] 28 4 4 20 25 54 −29 16
8 Club NXT (Y) 28 2 7 19 23 64 −41 13 Not eligible for promotion or relegation and left the league due to Virton's readmission.
Source: Belgian First Division B
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (Y) Cannot get promoted or relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Normally, the team finishing in last place (except Club NXT which is ineligible for promotion/relegation) would have been relegated. However, the general meeting of the Pro League decided on 16 March that no team would be relegated, as the 2020–21 Belgian National Division 1 had been cancelled due to measures taken by the Belgian government against the spread of COVID-19 prohibiting amateur football, causing no team to be promoted from that league to fill the gap.

Amateur Leagues

All leagues from the third level and below, were cancelled in January 2021 with just a few matches played, as measures taken by the Belgian government against the spread of COVID-19 prohibited amateur football.[15] The tables below represent the standings at the time the leagues were cancelled, however the season will be recorded as a "blank season", meaning all results are void and no teams will be promoted or relegated for sportive reasons. Clubs might however still be removed in case they do not fulfill the requirements for their level or want to restart at the bottom of the pyramid.

Belgian National Division 1

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tessenderlo 3 3 0 0 7 3 +4 9
2 Tienen 4 2 0 2 5 5 0 6
3 Heist 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 4
4 Sint-Eloois-Winkel 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 3
5 Francs Borains 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
6 Knokke 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 3
7 Visé[i] 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
8 Olympic Charleroi CF 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
9 Patro Eisden Maasmechelen[j] 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
10 RFC Liège 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
11 Rupel Boom 2 0 1 1 0 2 −2 1
12 Dender EH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Dessel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Mandel United 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 0
15 La Louvière Centre 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0
16 Roeselare[k] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ceased to exist
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won.[19]
Notes:
  1. ^ The match between Deinze and Seraing was postponed from 1 November 2020 to 15 November 2020 due to the home team suffering from an excessive number of A-squad players being placed in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test.[6]
  2. ^ The match between Club NXT and Westerlo was postponed from 25 September 2020 to 14 November 2020 due to the away team suffering from an excessive number of A-squad players being placed in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test.[7]
  3. ^ The match between RWDM47 and Lierse Kempenzonen of 24 October 2020 was postponed to 14 November 2020 due to the home team suffering from an excessive number of A-squad players being placed in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test.[8]
  4. ^ The match between Westerlo and Deinze was postponed due to the home team suffering from an excessive number of A-squad players being placed in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test, initially from 20 September 2020 to 30 September 2020,[9] but on 28 September the match was postponed again and eventually it was played on 18 November 2020.[10]
  5. ^ The match between Westerlo and RWDM47 was postponed from 1 October 2020 to 9 November 2020, due to the home team suffering from an excessive number of A-squad players being placed in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test.[11]
  6. ^ a b Due to expected severe weather conditions involving excessive snow, the matches Club NXT-Westerlo and Deinze-RWDM of 7 February 2021 were postponed the day before. Club NXT-Westerlo was eventually played on 3 March 2021, while Deinze-RWDM was played on 18 March 2021.[12]
  7. ^ Due to excessive snow and cold, the pitch of RWDM was deemed unsuitable for football on 12 February 2021, resulting in postponement of the match against Seraing which was originally scheduled to be played two days later.[13] The match was eventually played on 3 March 2021.
  8. ^ Lommel forfeited the match against Seraing, thereby automatically losing the match 5–0. On the day of the match, Lommel had five players test positive for COVID-19, with twenty others (players and staff) required to go into quarantine as a result. The match can only be postponed in case 7 or more A-squad players test positive, however, the club chose to forfeit the match to prevent taking excessive risks and allowing the virus to spread further.[14]
  9. ^ Mid-April, Visé was refused a Belgian remunerated football license due to use of an incorrect employment contract as its manager José Riga was self-employed rather than signed full-time as per the requirements. Visé appealed the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitration, adjusting the contract ahead of the new deadline, but also used the appeal to apply for a Belgian professional football license, which would allow the club to play at the second level. The BAS ruled in favor of the club, meaning that in case any vacant places open up at a higher level, Visé would be eligible if manage to adhere to the more stringent requirements, such as extra capacity in the stadium and sufficient luminous intensity in the stadium.[16]
  10. ^ Patro Eisden Maasmechelen announced on 13 April 2021 that it would not be receiving a Belgian remunerated football license, a requirement to play at this level, due to outstanding debts related to social security and taxes. The club added it would appeal the decision with the Belgian Court for Sports Arbitration and believed it would be receiving a license in the end, as in the meantime the necessary funds had been obtained.[17] Eventually the license was indeed granted.
  11. ^ Roeselare went bankrupt before the season actually started,[18] resulting in the team automatically finishing last. After the season neighbouring club Forza Dadizele, playing at the highest level of the Belgian Provincial Leagues, was renamed SK Roeselare-Daisel, hoping to lure in supporters from the defaulted club to help climb the club up the pyramid.
Belgian Division 2
Division VFV A

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Ninove 4 4 0 0 9 3 +6 12
2 Gent-Zeehaven 4 2 2 0 7 5 +2 8
3 Oudenaarde 4 2 1 1 9 4 +5 7
4 Petegem 3 2 0 1 4 1 +3 6
5 Harelbeke 4 1 3 0 8 5 +3 6
6 Dikkelvenne 4 1 3 0 7 5 +2 6
7 Olsa Brakel 3 1 2 0 4 2 +2 5
8 Merelbeke 4 1 2 1 4 2 +2 5
9 Lokeren-Temse 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5
10 Zwevezele 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
11 Zelzate 3 0 3 0 5 5 0 3
12 Wetteren 4 0 2 2 3 6 −3 2
13 Ronse 4 0 2 2 4 8 −4 2
14 Menen 3 0 1 2 4 9 −5 1
15 Gullegem 4 0 1 3 1 7 −6 1
16 Westhoek 4 0 1 3 3 11 −8 1
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[20]
Division VFV B

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Bocholt 4 3 1 0 11 5 +6 10
2 Hoogstraten 4 2 1 1 9 4 +5 7
3 Lyra-Lierse 4 2 1 1 7 4 +3 7
4 Hasselt 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7
5 Diegem 4 2 1 1 8 7 +1 7
6 Londerzeel 4 2 1 1 7 9 −2 7
7 Hades 3 2 0 1 9 3 +6 6
8 Pepingen-Halle 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 6
9 Berchem 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5
10 Houtvenne 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3 4
11 Cappellen 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3
12 Spouwen-Mopertingen 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 3
13 Heur-Tongeren 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1
14 Aalst 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0
15 City Pirates 2 0 0 2 3 7 −4 0
16 Wijgmaal 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 0
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[21]
Division ACFF

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tubize 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9
2 Ganshoren 3 2 1 0 6 4 +2 7
3 Stockay 4 2 1 1 6 5 +1 7
4 La Louvière 2 2 0 0 10 0 +10 6
5 Hamoir 4 2 0 2 10 7 +3 6
6 Givry 4 1 2 1 6 6 0 5
7 Jette 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 3
8 Solières 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3
9 Couvin-Mariembourg 2 1 0 1 3 5 −2 3
10 Verlaine 2 1 0 1 1 3 −2 3
11 Waremme 3 1 0 2 5 9 −4 3
12 Meux 3 0 3 0 4 4 0 3
13 Rebecq 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
14 Acren-Lessines 2 0 1 1 3 4 −1 1
15 Warnant 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0
16 Durbuy 3 0 0 3 2 14 −12 0
17 Virton[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reinstated to the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[25]
Notes:
  1. ^ On 12 May 2020, Virton were refused both a professional football license and a remunerated football license, meaning they were relegated two levels, directly from the 2019–20 Belgian First Division B to the 2020–21 Belgian Division 2.[22] The club refused to take part in the 2020–21 Belgian Division 2, forfeiting its matches and instead appealing the license decision. While initially seeming to lose the appeal, eventually the Belgian Competition Authority (BMA) ruled on 20 November 2020 that the Belgian FA had violated the competition rules in the license application of Virton. As the competitions had already progressed too far at that point, the BMA asked to reinstate Virton at the second level from the 2021–22 season, while only requiring the club to adhere to the conditions for a remunerated football license for that season, rather than the stricter rules for a professional football license, which is normally the case at this level. Among other things, this would allow the club to also employ players on amateur contracts for their initial season back at the second level. Virton has applied for a license to be allowed to play in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B and has sued the Belgian FA for 15 million euro in damages.[23] On 12 May 2021, the BAS agreed with the appeal of Virton, not only awarding the license to play in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division B, but also including not to be placed under extreme financial scrutiny for the 2021–22 season.[24]

Belgian Division 3

Division VFV A

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Stekene 4 3 1 0 7 2 +5 10
2 Lebbeke 4 2 2 0 9 5 +4 8
3 Overijse 3 2 1 0 7 3 +4 7
4 Oostkamp 4 2 1 1 10 8 +2 7
5 Lochristi 3 2 0 1 8 6 +2 6
6 Bambrugge 4 2 0 2 3 4 −1 6
7 Torhout 4 1 1 2 8 8 0 4
8 Hamme 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
9 Anzegem 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 4
10 Wolvertem Merchtem 4 1 1 2 6 9 −3 4
11 Sint-Niklaas 2 1 0 1 3 5 −2 3
12 Voorde-Appelterre 3 0 3 0 5 5 0 3
13 Eppegem 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
14 Lede 3 0 2 1 1 2 −1 2
15 Rhodienne-De Hoek 3 0 1 2 4 6 −2 1
16 Melsele 4 0 1 3 4 10 −6 1
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[26]
Division VFV B

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Betekom 4 3 0 1 11 6 +5 9
2 Nijlen 4 3 0 1 9 7 +2 9
3 Berlaar-Heikant 4 2 2 0 9 6 +3 8
4 Lille 4 2 1 1 13 7 +6 7
5 Termien 4 2 1 1 11 8 +3 7
6 Esperanza Pelt 3 2 0 1 8 4 +4 6
7 Witgoor 4 2 0 2 7 6 +1 6
8 Sint-Lenaarts 4 2 0 2 8 9 −1 6
9 Racing Mechelen 4 2 0 2 5 9 −4 6
10 Diest 4 1 1 2 6 7 −1 4
11 Zwarte Leeuw 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 4
12 Turnhout 3 1 0 2 3 7 −4 3
13 Wellen 4 0 3 1 5 6 −1 3
14 De Kempen 4 0 2 2 4 6 −2 2
15 Beringen 4 0 2 2 4 8 −4 2
16 Koersel 3 0 1 2 4 10 −6 1
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[27]
Division ACFF A

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tamines 4 4 0 0 12 4 +8 12
2 Crossing Schaerbeek 4 3 1 0 11 4 +7 10
3 Namur FLV 4 3 1 0 8 1 +7 10
4 Binche 4 2 1 1 8 7 +1 7
5 CS Braine 4 2 1 1 4 3 +1 7
6 Manageoise 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
7 Aische 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
8 Stade Brainois[a] 4 1 1 2 5 5 0 4 Merged into Tubize
9 Stockel 4 1 1 2 9 10 −1 4
10 Symphorinois 4 1 1 2 5 6 −1 4
11 Ostiches-Ath 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
12 Mons 4 1 0 3 5 12 −7 3
13 Tournai 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2 1
14 Saint-Ghislain 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
15 Gosselies 4 0 1 3 5 11 −6 1
16 Pont-à-Celles-Buzet 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5 0
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[29]
Notes:
  1. ^ On 3 April 2020, Stade Braine announced it would merge with neighboring Tubize to form Royale Union Tubize-Braine, which will start playing at the current level of Tubize, the Belgian Division 2. As such, the place of Stade Braine in the Belgian Division 3 will be vacated. [28]
Division ACFF B

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Dison 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 7
2 Mormont 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3 Richelle 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 6
4 Habay 3 2 0 1 7 7 0 6
5 Herstal 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6
6 Jodoigne 4 2 0 2 8 9 −1 6
7 Raeren-Eynatten 3 1 1 1 6 5 +1 4
8 Onhaye 3 1 0 2 7 5 +2 3
9 Rochefort 2 1 0 1 4 5 −1 3
10 Aywaille 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 3
11 Huy 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 3
12 Oppagne-Wéris 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
13 Gouvy 2 0 1 1 3 5 −2 1
14 Sprimont 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
15 Wanze Bas-Oha 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0
16 Marloie 2 0 0 2 4 7 −3 0
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[30]

Cup competitions

Competition Winner Score Runner-up
2020–21 Belgian Cup Genk 2–1 Standard Liège
2020 Belgian Super Cup not held (Club Brugge vs. Antwerp)

Transfers

UEFA competitions

Champions Club Brugge qualified directly for the group stage of the Champions League, while runners-up Gent started in the qualifying rounds. Cup winners Antwerp started in the group stage of the Europa League, while Charleroi and Standard Liège started in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds after respectively finishing third and fifth.

Date Team Competition Round Leg Opponent Location Score Belgian Team Goalscorers
15 September 2020 Gent Champions League Qual. Round 3 Single Leg, Home Austria Rapid Wien Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 2–1 Dorsch, Yaremchuk (p)
17 September 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Qual. Round 2 Single Leg, Home Wales Bala Town Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 2–0 Avenatti (p), Amallah
23 September 2020 Gent Champions League Play-off round Leg 1, Home Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 1–2 Kleindienst
24 September 2020 Charleroi Europa League Qual. Round 3 Single Leg, Home Serbia Partizan Stade du Pays de Charleroi, Charleroi 2–1 (a.e.t.) Dessoleil, Rezaei
24 September 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Qual. Round 3 Single Leg, Home Serbia Vojvodina Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 2–1 (a.e.t.) Avenatti (p), Amallah
29 September 2020 Gent Champions League Play-off round Leg 2, Away Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv 3–0
24 September 2020 Charleroi Europa League Qual. Round 3 Single Leg, Home Poland Lech Poznań Stade du Pays de Charleroi, Charleroi 1–2 Fall
1 October 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Play-off round Single Leg, Home Hungary Fehérvár Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 3–1 Gavory, Amallah (2x (p))
20 October 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1, Away Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg 1–2 Dennis, De Ketelaere
22 October 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 1, Away Bulgaria Ludogorets Razgrad Huvepharma Arena, Razgrad 1–2 Gerkens, Refaelov
22 October 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 1, Away Czech Republic Slovan Liberec Stadion u Nisy, Liberec 1–0
22 October 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 1, Home Scotland Rangers Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 0–2
28 October 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 2, Home Italy Lazio Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 1–1 Vanaken (p)
29 October 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 2, Home England Tottenham Hotspur Bosuilstadion, Antwerp 1–0 Refaelov
29 October 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 2, Home Germany 1899 Hoffenheim Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 1–4 Kleindienst
29 October 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 2, Away Portugal Benfica Estádio da Luz, Lisbon 3–0
4 November 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 3, Home Germany Borussia Dortmund Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 0–3
5 November 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 3, Home Austria LASK Bosuilstadion, Antwerp 0–1
5 November 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 3, Away Serbia Red Star Belgrade Red Star Stadium, Belgrade 2–1 Odjidja-Ofoe
5 November 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 3, Away Poland Lech Poznań Stadion Miejski, Poznań 3–1 Lestienne
24 November 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 4, Away Germany Borussia Dortmund Westfalenstadion, Dortmund 3–0
26 November 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 4, Away Austria LASK Linzer Stadion, Linz[A] 0–2 Refaelov, Gerkens
26 November 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 4, Home Serbia Red Star Belgrade Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 0–2
26 November 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 4, Home Poland Lech Poznań Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 2–1 Tapsoba, Laifis
2 December 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5, Home Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 3–0 De Ketelaere, Vanaken (p), Lang
3 December 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 5, Home Bulgaria Ludogorets Razgrad Bosuilstadion, Antwerp 3–1 Hongla, De Laet, Benson
3 December 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 5, Home Czech Republic Slovan Liberec Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 1–2 Yaremchuk
3 December 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 5, Away Scotland Rangers Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow 3–2 Lestienne, Čop
8 December 2020 Club Brugge Champions League Group Stage Matchday 6, Away Italy Lazio Stadio Olimpico, Rome 2–2 Vormer, Vanaken
10 December 2020 Antwerp Europa League Group Stage Matchday 6, Away England Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 0–2
10 December 2020 Gent Europa League Group Stage Matchday 6, Away Germany 1899 Hoffenheim Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim 1–4 Fortuna
10 December 2020 Standard Liège Europa League Group Stage Matchday 6, Home Portugal Benfica Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège 2–2 Raskin, Tapsoba
18 February 2021 Antwerp Europa League Round of 32 Leg 1, Home Scotland Rangers Bosuilstadion, Antwerp 3–4 Avenatti, Refaelov (p), Hongla
18 February 2021 Club Brugge Europa League Round of 32 Leg 1, Away Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv 1–1 Mechele
25 February 2021 Antwerp Europa League Round of 32 Leg 2, Away Scotland Rangers Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow 5–2 Refaelov, Lamkel Zé
25 February 2021 Club Brugge Europa League Round of 32 Leg 2, Home Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 0–1
  1. ^ a b
    LASK play their home matches at Linzer Stadion, Linz, instead of their regular home stadium Waldstadion, Pasching.

European qualification for 2021–22 summary

Competition Qualifiers Reason for Qualification
UEFA Champions League Group Stage Club Brugge 1st in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Genk 2nd in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa League Play-off round Antwerp 3rd in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round Anderlecht 4th in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Gent Play-off II winner

Managerial changes

This is a list of changes of managers within Belgian professional league football:

First Division A

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position Replaced by Date of appointment
Cercle Brugge Germany Bernd Storck End of contract[31] End of 2019–20 season Pre-season England Paul Clement 3 July 2020[32]
Antwerp Romania László Bölöni End of contract[33] Croatia Ivan Leko 20 May 2020[34]
Sint-Truiden Slovenia Miloš Kostić Mutual consent[35] Australia Kevin Muscat 2 June 2020[36]
Waasland-Beveren Belgium Dirk Geeraerd (caretaker) Caretaker replaced Belgium Nicky Hayen 4 June 2020 [37]
Oostende Bosnia and Herzegovina Adnan Čustović Replaced[38] Germany Alexander Blessin 7 June 2020[38]
Standard Liège Belgium Michel Preud'homme Resigned[39] France Philippe Montanier 10 June 2020[40]
Excel Mouscron Germany Bernd Hollerbach Mutual consent[41] France Fernando Da Cruz 18 July 2020[42]
Anderlecht Belgium Franky Vercauteren Kompany became sole manager[43] 17 August 2020 3rd Belgium Vincent Kompany 17 August 2020[43]
Gent Denmark Jess Thorup Sacked[44] 20 August 2020 16th Romania László Bölöni 20 August 2020[44]
Gent Romania László Bölöni Sacked[45] 14 September 2020 16th Belgium Wim De Decker 14 September 2020
Genk Germany Hannes Wolf Sacked[46] 15 September 2020 14th Belgium Domenico Olivieri (caretaker) 15 September 2020
Genk Belgium Domenico Olivieri Caretaker replaced[47] 24 September 2020 14th Denmark Jess Thorup 24 September 2020
Excel Mouscron France Fernando Da Cruz Sacked[48] 19 October 2020 18th Portugal Jorge Simão 20 October 2020[49]
Genk Denmark Jess Thorup Hired by Denmark Copenhagen[50] 2 November 2020 7th Netherlands John van den Brom[51] 8 November 2020 [n 2]
Sint-Truiden Australia Kevin Muscat Sacked[52] 1 December 2020 16th Belgium Stef Van Winckel (caretaker) 1 December 2020
Gent Belgium Wim De Decker Sacked[53] 3 December 2020 12th Belgium Hein Vanhaezebrouck[54] 4 December 2020
Sint-Truiden Belgium Stef Van Winckel Caretaker replaced[55] 7 December 2020 17th Belgium Peter Maes[55] 7 December 2020
Standard Liège France Philippe Montanier Sacked[56] 26 December 2020 11th Senegal Mbaye Leye[57] 30 December 2020
Antwerp Croatia Ivan Leko Hired by China Shanghai SIPG[58] 29 December 2020 5th Belgium Franky Vercauteren[59] 4 January 2021
Beerschot Argentina Hernán Losada Hired by United States D.C. United[60] 17 January 2021 10th Belgium Will Still[61] 19 January 2021
Kortrijk Belgium Yves Vanderhaeghe Sacked[62] 31 January 2021 15th Slovenia Luka Elsner[62] 31 January 2021
Cercle Brugge England Paul Clement Sacked[63] 1 February 2021 17th Belgium Yves Vanderhaeghe[64] 3 February 2021


First Division B

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position Replaced by Date of appointment
Union SG Spain Thomas Christiansen Contract not prolonged [65] End of 2019–20 season Pre-season Belgium Felice Mazzù 24 May 2020 [66]
Lommel Belgium Peter Maes Contract not prolonged [67] England Liam Manning 10 July 2020 [68]
RWD Molenbeek Belgium Frédéric Stilmant (caretaker) Caretaker replaced Belgium Laurent Demol 11 June 2020 [69]
RWD Molenbeek Belgium Laurent Demol Sacked 2 December 2020 [70] 6th Belgium Frédéric Stilmant (caretaker) 2 December 2020
RWD Molenbeek Belgium Frédéric Stilmant (caretaker) Caretaker replaced 7 December 2020 6th Belgium Vincent Euvrard 7 December 2020 [71]
Deinze Belgium David Gevaert Sacked 4 March 2021 [72] 6th Belgium Cédric Vlaeminck (caretaker) [a] 4 March 2021
  1. ^ Wim De Decker was appointed the new manager of Deinze, but would only be observing and analysing the players for the remainder of the season. Assistant-manager Cédric Vlaeminck will take up the role of manager until the end of the season, leading the training sessions and being on the sideline during matches.

Notes

  1. ^ Club NXT was not promoted, but rather admitted as a youth squad into the 2020–21 Belgian First Division B, to fill the open gap left, as only 23 teams had obtained the required Belgian professional football license, while 24 teams were needed. Club NXT is ineligible for promotion as well as relegation.
  2. ^ While van den Brom was announced on 6 November 2020, caretaker Domenico Olivieri was still leading the group during the match of 7 November 2020 against Sint-Truiden, with van den Brom only officially taking charge of 8 November 2020.

See also

References

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  2. ^ "KV Oostende krijgt licentie van BAS, afwachten voor Moeskroen" [KV Oostende awarded license by BAS, Mouscron still waiting] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Degradant Moeskroen bemachtigt via BAS opnieuw een licentie" [Relegated Mouscron again obtains license after appeal at BAS] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions] (PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  5. ^ "General terms Belgian competition" (PDF). kbvb.be. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
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  11. ^ "Weer match van Westerlo uitgesteld: "Maar quarantaine heeft effect"" [Yet another Westerlo match postponed: "But quarantine has its effect"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
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  17. ^ "Patro Eisden krijgt geen licentie voor 1e Nationale: "Club is niet in gevaar"" [Patro Eisden not awarded a license for 1st National Division: "Club not in danger"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
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  28. ^ "Deux clubs, une seule vision !" [Two clubs, one vision !]. rutb.be (in French). 12 April 2021.
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  32. ^ "Voormalige rechterhand van Carlo Ancelotti wordt nieuwe coach van Cercle" [Carlo Ancelotti's former right-hand man becomes Cercle's new manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 3 July 2020.
  33. ^ "OFFICIEEL: Geen Bölöni meer volgend seizoen bij Antwerp" [OFFICIAL: No Bölöni anymore next season at Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 14 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Ivan Leko volgt Laszlo Bölöni op als coach van Antwerp" [Ivan Leko succeeds Laszlo Bölöni as Antwerp manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 20 May 2020.
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  37. ^ "Waasland-Beveren presenteert Nicky Hayen als nieuwe trainer" [Waasland-Beveren presents Nicky Hayen as nieuwe manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 4 June 2020.
  38. ^ a b "Duitser Blessin wordt de nieuwe coach van KV Oostende" [German Blessin becomes new manager of KV Oostende] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 7 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Michel Preud'homme stopt als hoofdcoach bij Standard: "Eerlijk zijn met jezelf"" [Michel Preud'homme quits as Standard manager: "Have to be fair to yourself"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 8 June 2020.
  40. ^ "Standard tovert Philippe Montanier uit zijn hoed als nieuwe trainer" [Standard comes up with Philippe Montanier as new manager by surprise] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Moeskroen en coach Bernd Hollerbach gaan uit mekaar" [Mouscron and manager Hollerbach part ways] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 10 June 2020.
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  44. ^ a b "AA Gent stuurt Jess Thorup al na 2 matchen de laan uit" [AA Gent sacks Jess Thorup after just 2 matches] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 20 August 2020.
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  46. ^ "Racing Genk neemt afscheid van trainer Hannes Wolf" [RC Genk says goodbye to coach Hannes Wolf] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 15 September 2020.
  47. ^ "KRC Genk vist Jess Thorup weer op als nieuwe hoofdtrainer" [KRC Genk revives Jess Thorup as manager] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 24 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Rode lantaarn Moeskroen zegt vertrouwen in trainer Da Cruz op" [Red lantern Mouscron no longer has confidence in manager Da Cruz] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 19 October 2020.
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  57. ^ "Standard geeft ex-assistent Mbaye Leye nu toch een kans als hoofdcoach" [Standard gives former assistant manager Mbaye Leye a chance as head coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 30 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Officieel: Ivan Leko verlaat Antwerp voor Chinees avontuur" [Official: Ivan Leko leaves Antwerp for Chinese adventure] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 29 December 2020.
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