2021–22 Belgian Division 3

Football league season
Belgian Division 3
Season2021–22
← 2020–21
2022–23 →

The 2021–22 Belgian Division 3 was the sixth season of the division in its current format, placed at the fifth-tier of football in Belgium. As the previous season was cancelled in January 2021 due to governmental measures against COVID-19 prohibiting amateur football,[1] the division features nearly exactly the same teams.

The division consists of four separate leagues. Leagues VFV A and VFV B consist of teams with a license from the Voetbalfederatie Vlaanderen (VFV, the Flemish/Dutch speaking wing of the Belgian FA), while the leagues ACFF A and ACFF B contain teams with a license from the Association des Clubs Francophones de Football (ACFF, the French-speaking wing of the RBFA). The champions from each of the four leagues will be promoted to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2.

Team changes

In

No new clubs entered as the previous season was cancelled.

Out

  • Stade Brainois merged with AFC Tubize to become Royale Union Tubize-Braine, known as Tubize-Braine. As AFC Tubize was playing at a higher level (Belgian Division 2), the new club continued at this level, thus vacating the place of Stade Brainois in the Belgian Division 3.

Mergers

  • Bambrugge merged with neighbours Mere (which was playing at a lower level) to become Erpe-Mere United.

Belgian Division 3 VFV A

2021–22 Belgian Division 3 is located in Belgium
Anzegem
Anzegem
Eppegem
Eppegem
Erpe-Mere
Erpe-Mere
Lebbeke
Lebbeke
Lede
Lede
Lochristi
Lochristi
Melsele
Melsele
Oostkamp
Oostkamp
Overijse
Overijse
Sint-Niklaas
Sint-Niklaas
Stekene
Stekene
Torhout
Torhout
Voorde-Appelterre
Voorde-Appelterre
W-M
W-M
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Locations of the 2021–22 Belgian Division 3 VFV A teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Oostkamp (C, P) 30 23 5 2 83 37 +46 74 Promotion to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2
2 Lebbeke (P) 30 19 6 5 60 30 +30 63 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VFV
3 Overijse 30 16 6 8 55 37 +18 54
4 Torhout (O, P) 30 16 6 8 52 45 +7 54
5 Lochristi[a] (R) 30 14 6 10 60 47 +13 48 Restarting at bottom level of pyramid
6 Erpe-Mere United (P) 30 13 5 12 45 39 +6 44 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VFV
7 Hamme 30 12 8 10 49 45 +4 44
8 Stekene 30 12 6 12 48 38 +10 42
9 Voorde-Appelterre 30 10 6 14 47 52 −5 36
10 Wolvertem Merchtem 30 9 9 12 42 39 +3 36
11 Anzegem 30 10 5 15 47 60 −13 35
12 Lede 30 10 4 16 47 61 −14 34
13 Eppegem 30 8 8 14 36 39 −3 32 Qualification for the Relegation play-offs VFV
14 Melsele (R) 30 7 6 17 47 75 −28 27 Relegation to the 2022–23 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Sint-Niklaas (R) 30 6 7 17 32 66 −34 25
16 Rhodienne-De Hoek (R) 30 6 5 19 26 66 −40 23
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.[3]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Lochristi opted to drop down to the Belgian Provincial Leagues for the coming season due to financial difficulties.[2]

Belgian Division 3 VFV B

2021–22 Belgian Division 3 is located in Belgium
Betekom
Betekom
Beringen
Beringen
Berlaar-H.
Berlaar-H.
De Kempen
De Kempen
Koersel
Koersel
Lille
Lille
Nijlen
Nijlen
Pelt
Pelt
Sint-Lenaarts
Sint-Lenaarts
Termien
Termien
Wellen
Wellen
Witgoor
Witgoor
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Locations of the 2021–22 Belgian Division 3 VFV B teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Racing Mechelen (C, P) 30 18 5 7 63 41 +22 59 Promotion to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2
2 Esperanza Pelt 30 18 4 8 64 38 +26 58 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VFV
3 Diest 30 16 8 6 47 28 +19 56
4 Lille (P) 30 16 6 8 63 55 +8 54
5 Turnhout (P) 30 13 10 7 53 28 +25 49
6 Sint-Lenaarts 30 13 8 9 49 41 +8 47
7 Zwarte Leeuw 30 13 7 10 61 38 +23 46
8 Wellen 30 11 11 8 46 41 +5 44
9 Termien 30 12 6 12 40 41 −1 42
10 Betekom 30 12 5 13 53 51 +2 41
11 Nijlen 30 12 5 13 52 55 −3 41
12 Beringen 30 11 8 11 48 43 +5 41
13 Witgoor (O) 30 10 5 15 37 43 −6 35 Qualification for the Relegation play-offs VFV
14 De Kempen (R) 30 5 7 18 35 62 −27 22 Relegation to the 2022–23 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Berlaar-Heikant (R) 30 4 9 17 27 70 −43 21
16 Koersel (R) 30 3 2 25 30 93 −63 11
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.[4]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Belgian Division 3 ACFF A

2021–22 Belgian Division 3 is located in Belgium
Aische
Aische
Binche
Binche
Gosselies
Gosselies
Manage
Manage
Ostiches-Ath
Ostiches-Ath
P-à-Celles
P-à-Celles
Saint-Ghislain
Saint-Ghislain
Schaerbeek
Schaerbeek
Stockel
Stockel
Symphorinois
Symphorinois
Tamines
Tamines
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Locations of the 2021–22 Belgian Division 3 ACFF A teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Namur FLV (C, P) 28 21 2 5 58 21 +37 65 Promotion to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2
2 Manageoise 28 14 7 7 61 32 +29 49 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF
3 Crossing Schaerbeek 28 13 10 5 53 40 +13 49
4 Aische 28 13 9 6 61 41 +20 48
5 Tournai 28 13 6 9 38 34 +4 45
6 Binche (O, P) 28 11 9 8 41 36 +5 42 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF
7 Symphorinois 28 12 5 11 40 35 +5 41
8 Tamines 28 10 10 8 32 34 −2 40
9 Mons 28 9 13 6 55 39 +16 40
10 Ostiches-Ath 28 10 7 11 41 39 +2 37
11 Saint-Ghislain 28 9 9 10 39 51 −12 36
12 CS Braine 28 9 4 15 47 57 −10 31
13 Gosselies 28 5 7 16 21 50 −29 22 Qualification for the Relegation play-offs ACFF
14 Pont-à-Celles-Buzet (R) 28 2 12 14 20 49 −29 18 Relegation to the 2022–23 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Stockel (R) 28 2 4 22 32 81 −49 10
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.[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Belgian Division 3 ACFF B

2021–22 Belgian Division 3 is located in Belgium
Aywaille
Aywaille
Dison
Dison
Gouvy
Gouvy
Habay
Habay
Herstal
Herstal
Huy
Huy
Jodoigne
Jodoigne
Marloie
Marloie
Mormont
Mormont
Onhaye
Onhaye
Oppagne-W.
Oppagne-W.
Raeren-Eynatten
Raeren-Eynatten
Richelle
Richelle
Rochefort
Rochefort
Sprimont
Sprimont
Wanze Bas-Oha
Wanze Bas-Oha
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Locations of the 2021–22 Belgian Division 3 ACFF B teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Dison (C, P) 30 19 6 5 69 35 +34 63 Promotion to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2
2 Rochefort 30 18 3 9 63 50 +13 57 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF
3 Raeren-Eynatten 30 17 2 11 65 51 +14 53
4 Herstal 30 15 5 10 57 33 +24 50
5 Sprimont 30 15 5 10 49 40 +9 50
6 Onhaye 30 14 7 9 50 33 +17 49
7 Richelle 30 13 5 12 56 48 +8 44
8 Jodoigne 30 12 5 13 49 44 +5 41
9 Habay 30 11 8 11 45 44 +1 41
10 Marloie 30 12 3 15 55 64 −9 39
11 Mormont 30 10 9 11 50 60 −10 39
12 Aywaille 30 11 2 17 47 68 −21 35
13 Huy (O) 30 9 7 14 32 46 −14 34 Qualification for the Relegation play-offs ACFF
14 Oppagne-Wéris (R) 30 8 8 14 39 61 −22 32 Relegation to the 2022–23 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Wanze Bas-Oha (R) 30 7 6 17 42 64 −22 27
16 Gouvy (R) 30 6 5 19 39 66 −27 23
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.[6]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Championship matches

Both the two VFV and two ACFF teams winning their leagues can arrange a title match to determine the overall VFV and ACFF champions of the Belgian Division 3. This season, the overall ACFF champion was decided in a single match, with Namur FLV winning the title. On VFV side, Oostkamp and Racing Mechelen decided not to play a championship match. There was hence also no match between the overall VFV and ACFF champions.

Championship match ACFF

Namur FLV4–1 (a.e.t.)Dison
Dheur 34'
Rosmolen 97'
Tonnet 102'
Olojede 106'		 report Vandebon 12'

Namur FLV was awarded the symbolic title of Belgian Division 3 ACFF champion.

Promotion play-offs

Promotion play-offs VFV

The teams finishing in second place in the Belgian Division 3 VFV A and Belgian Division 3 VFV B take part in a promotion playoff first round together with three period winners from these both divisions. These 8 teams from the VFV play the first round of a promotion-playoff, with the four winners promoted to the 2022–23 Belgian Division 2. Losing teams will continue in rounds 2 and 3 in case extra places open up.

In division A, champions Oostkamp won all periods, meaning that in theory the teams in place 2 through 5 would qualify. 5th placed Lochristi opted however to stop playing at this level and did not take part, allowing Erpe-Mere United to take part.

In division B, second place finishers Esperanza Pelt were joined by Lille United (4th) who had won a period title. The remaining spots were taken by the highest finishers not already qualified, 3rd place Diest and 5th place Turnhout.

VFV Round 1

Erpe-Mere United3–1Esperanza Pelt
Van Den Meersch 2', 41'
Matthijs 63'		 report Ella Ella 63'
Overijse0–3Lebbeke
report Van De Velde 44', 48', 75'
Turnhout3–1Torhout
Coeckelbergs 13'
Jacobs 60'
Tourki 90'		 report Andries 89'
Lille2–1Diest
Gerritsen 45' (pen.)
Flebus 66'		 report Erciyas 73'

Erpe-Mere United, Lebbeke, Turnhout and Lille were promoted. The losing teams qualified for the Promotion play-offs VFV Round 2.

VFV Round 2

Overijse2–1Esperanza Pelt
Dehond 2'
Maluka 71' (pen.)		 report Meeus 90+3'
Torhout5–0Diest
Margo 12'
Timmerman 22'
Andries 35', 64', 70'		 report

Overijse and Torhout qualified for the promotion play-offs VFV Round 3. Pelt and Diest were eliminated and remain in the Belgian Division 3.

VFV Round 3

Torhout1–0Overijse
Timmerman 74' report

Torhout also achieved promotion through winning Round 3. Overijse was first in line in case another spot would open up.

Promotion play-offs ACFF

The teams finishing in second place in the Belgian Division 3 ACFF A and Belgian Division 3 ACFF B take part in a promotion playoff first round together with three period winners from these both divisions. These eight teams would play-off for one single promotion place up for grabs.

In Division 3 ACFF A, Manageoise, as team finishing in second place in the Belgian Division 2 ACFF A qualified for the Promotion play-offs ACFF, as well as Binche (6th overall) for winning the first period. The two other periods were won by champions Union Namur-Fosses and hence 3rd and 4th placed teams Crossing Schaerbeek and Aische were invited as well.

The teams in positions 2 through 5 qualified from the Division 3 ACFF B as no team outside the top five had managed to win a period title. Hence, Rochefort, Raeren-Eynatten, Herstal and Sprimont took part.

ACFF Round 1

Binche3–2Herstal
Michez 3'
Bastaens 50', 61'		 report Wanderson 16' (pen.)
Diallo 24'
Aische0–1Sprimont
report Otte 61' (pen.)
Manageoise3–0Rochefort
Diotallevi 49'
Papassarantis 55'
Sebaihi 65'		 report
Raeren-Eynatten0–2Crossing Schaerbeek
report Tshibay 55', 80'

Binche, Sprimont, Manageoise and Crossing Schaerbeek qualified for ACFF Round 2, the other teams are eliminated and remain in the Belgian Division 3.

ACFF Round 2

Manageoise0–3Sprimont
report Keysers 29'
Camara 60'
Seck 66'
Crossing Schaerbeek0–0
Awarded 0–5 FF win to Binche (a.e.t.)		Binche
report
Penalties
4–4

Sprimont qualified for ACFF Round 3, Manageoise was eliminated. The match between Crossing Schaerbeek and Binche was stopped due to supporter violence, after the match had ended 0–0 after extra time and teams were tied 4–4 during the penalty shootout. While both teams' supporters were taking part in the fight, the home team was penalized with a 0–5 forfeit loss for not taking sufficient safety precautions, allowing supporters of both teams to come together in the same stand during the penalty shootouts, eventually also leading to a pitch invasion.[7] Binche therebye progressed to the ACFF Round 3, Crossing Schaerbeek was eliminated.

ACFF Round 3

Sprimont1–3Binche
Seck 66' report Lespagne 27'
Yaman 45+1', 73'

Binche is promoted to the Belgian First Division 2, Sprimont is first in line in case another spot opens up.

Relegation play-offs

ACFF

Huy1–1 (a.e.t.)Gosselies
Boussard 96' Baynon 97'
Penalties
4–2

Prior to the match, it was known that the winner of this ACFF play-off would avoid relegation, while the loser would need to await the results of higher divisions. Huy was thus spared while Gosselies was unsure.

VFV

Eppegem1–1 (a.e.t.)Witgoor
Rijmenams 35' (pen.) report Van Roy 88'
Penalties
3–5

Prior to the match, it was known that the winner of this VFV play-off would avoid relegation, while the loser would need to await the results of higher divisions. Witgoor Dessel was thus spared while Eppegem was unsure.

Number of teams by provinces

Number of teams Province or region Team(s) in VFV A Team(s) in VFV B Team(s) in ACFF A Team(s) in ACFF B
9  Antwerp none Berlaar-H., De Kempen, Lille, KRC Mechelen, Nijlen, Sint-Lenaarts, Turnhout, Witgoor and Zwarte Leeuw – –
 East Flanders Erpe-Mere, Hamme, Lebbeke, Lede, Lochristi, Melsele, Sint-Niklaas, Stekene and Voorde-Appelterre none – –
 Hainaut – – Binche, Gosselies, Manage, Ostiches-Ath, P-à-Celles, Ren. Mons, Saint-Ghislain, Symphorinois, Tournai none
8  Liège – – none Aywaille, Dison, Herstal, Huy, Raeren-Eynatten, Richelle, Sprimont, Wanze Bas-Oha
6  Flemish Brabant Eppegem, Overijse, Rhode-De Hoek and Wolvertem Merchtem Betekom and Diest – –
5  Limburg none Beringen, Koersel, Pelt, Termien and Wellen – –
 Luxembourg – – none Gouvy, Habay, Marloie, Mormont, Oppagne-Wéris
 Namur – – Aische, Namur FLV and Tamines Onhaye, Rochefort
3  West Flanders Anzegem, Oostkamp, Torhout none – –
2  Brussels none none Schaerbeek and Stockel none
 Walloon Brabant – – CS Braine Jodoigne

References

  1. ^ "Amateurcompetities definitief stopgezet, jeugdvoetbal tot U13 blijft mogelijk" [Amateur leagues cancelled definitively, youth matches until U13 remain possible]. sporza (in Dutch). 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  2. ^ "SK Lochristi verdwijnt na dit seizoen uit amateurvoetbal: "Corona heeft ons mee genekt"". HLN (in Dutch). 15 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Belgian Third Amateur Division VFV A 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Belgian Third Amateur Division VFV B 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Belgian Third Amateur Division ACFF A 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Belgian Third Amateur Division ACFF B 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Incidents Crossing-Binche: La CBAS confirme le forfait infligé au Crossing". 21 May 2022.