Football in Belgium
Season2017–18
Men's football
First Division AClub Brugge
First Division BCercle Brugge
First Amateur DivisionKnokke
Second Amateur DivisionRupel Boom (A), Tessenderlo (B) and RWDM47 (C)
Third Amateur DivisionMenen (A), Heur-Tongeren (B), La Louvière (C) and Tilleur (D)
CupStandard Liège
Super CupAnderlecht
Belgium

The following article is a summary of the 2017–18 football season in Belgium, which is the 1145th season of competitive football in the country and runs from July 2017 until June 2018.

National teams

Belgium national football team

Belgium qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup following a 1–2 win in and against Greece on 3 September 2017. Being seeded, Belgium was then paired with England, Panama and Tunisia in Group G.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 10 9 1 0 43 6 +37 28 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup — 1–1 4–0 8–1 4–0 9–0
2  Greece 10 5 4 1 17 6 +11 19 Advance to second round 1–2 — 1–1 0–0 2–0 4–0
3  Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 5 2 3 24 13 +11 17 3–4 0–0 — 5–0 2–0 5–0
4  Estonia 10 3 2 5 13 19 −6 11 0–2 0–2 1–2 — 1–0 4–0
5  Cyprus 10 3 1 6 9 18 −9 10 0–3 1–2 3–2 0–0 — 3–1
6  Gibraltar 10 0 0 10 3 47 −44 0 0–6 1–4 0–4 0–6 1–2 —
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
31 August 2017 (2017-08-31) Belgium  9–0  Gibraltar Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège
20:45
(20:45 UTC+2)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)		 Attendance: 24,050
Referee: Neil Doyle (Republic of Ireland)
3 September 2017 (2017-09-03) Greece  1–2  Belgium Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
20:45
(21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Attendance: 29,465
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
10 October 2017 (2017-10-10) Belgium  4–0  Cyprus King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
20:45
(20:45 UTC+2)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)		 Attendance: 37,765
Referee: Luca Banti (Italy)

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  England 3 2 0 1 8 3 +5 6
3  Tunisia 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 3
4  Panama 3 0 0 3 2 11 −9 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Belgium 3–0 Panama
 Report
Attendance: 43,257[2]
Belgium 5–2 Tunisia
 Report
Attendance: 44,190[3]
England 0–1 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 33,973[4]
Knockout stage
Belgium 3–2 Japan
 Report
Attendance: 41,466[5]
Brazil 1–2 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 42,873[6]
France 1–0 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 64,286[7]
Belgium 2–0 England
 Report
Attendance: 64,406[8]

Friendlies

10 November 2017 Friendly Belgium  3–3  Mexico Brussels, Belgium
20:45 (UTC+1)
Report
Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni (Italy)
14 November 2017 Friendly Belgium  1–0  Japan Bruges, Belgium
20:45 (UTC+1)
Report Stadium: Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
27 March 2018 Friendly Belgium  4–0  Saudi Arabia Brussels, Belgium
20:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
2 June 2018 Friendly Belgium  0–0  Portugal Brussels, Belgium
20:45 UTC+2 Report Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
6 June 2018 Friendly Belgium  3–0  Egypt Brussels, Belgium
20:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)
11 June 2018 Friendly Belgium  4–1  Costa Rica Brussels, Belgium
20:45 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)

Belgium women's national football team

Belgium made their debut at the UEFA Women's Euro tournament in 2017, being eliminated in a group with Denmark and Netherlands, who would both go on to play the final. The team also played the first six of their eight qualification matches for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, starting strongly with three wins.

UEFA Women's Euro 2017

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Netherlands (H) 3 3 0 0 4 1 +3 9 Knockout stage
2  Denmark 3 2 0 1 2 1 +1 6
3  Belgium 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3
4  Norway 3 0 0 3 0 4 −4 0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Denmark 1–0 Belgium
Troelsgaard 6' Report
Attendance: 5,054
Norway 0–2 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 8,477
Belgium 1–2 Netherlands
Wullaert 59' Report
Attendance: 12,697

2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification

19 September 2017 (2017-09-19) Belgium  12–0  Moldova Den Dreef, Leuven
20:15
Report Attendance: 2,890
Referee: Eszter Urban (Hungary)
20 October 2017 (2017-10-20) Belgium  3–2  Romania Den Dreef, Leuven
20:30
Report
Attendance: 3,943
Referee: Marte Sørø (Norway)
24 October 2017 (2017-10-24) Portugal  0–1  Belgium Estádio Municipal 25 de Abril, Penafiel
18:00 Report
Attendance: 4,136
Referee: Anastasia Pustovoitova (Russia)
6 April 2018 (2018-04-06) Belgium  1–1  Portugal Den Dreef, Leuven
19:30
Report
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Esther Staubli (Switzerland)
10 April 2018 (2018-04-10) Italy  2–1  Belgium Stadio Paolo Mazza, Ferrara
18:00
Report
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)
10 June 2018 (2018-06-10) Moldova  0–7  Belgium Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău
18:00 Report
Referee: Marina Višnjić (Serbia)

2018 Cyprus Cup

28 February 2018 (2018-02-28) Belgium  1–2  Moldova GSZ Stadium, Larnaca
13:00
Report
2 March 2018 (2018-03-02) Spain  0–0  Belgium GSZ Stadium, Larnaca
18:00 Report Referee: Florence Guillemin (French)
5 March 2018 (2018-03-05) Belgium  2–0  Austria GSZ Stadium, Larnaca
18:00
Report
7 March 2018 (2018-03-07) South Africa  1–2  Belgium GSZ Stadium, Larnaca
15:00
Report

Friendly

7 July 2017 Friendly France  2–0  Belgium Montpellier, France
21:00 (UTC+1)
Report Stadium: Stade de la Mosson
Referee: Gyöngyi Gaál (Hungary)
11 July 2017 Friendly Belgium  2–0  Russia Denderleeuw, Belgium
15:00 (UTC+1)
Report Stadium: Van Roystadion
Referee: Vivian Peeters (Netherlands)

Men's football

League season

Promotion and relegation

The following teams had achieved promotion or suffered relegation going into the 2017–18 season.

League Promoted to league Relegated from league
First Division A
First Division B
First Division Amateur Division
Second Division Amateur Division
Third Division Amateur Division
  • Bilzen Waltwilder
  • Binche
  • Braine
  • Habay
  • Herentals
  • Heur-Tongeren
  • Hoeilaart
  • Kampenhout
  • Melsele
  • Spy
  • Stekene
  • Stockay
  • Termien
  • Ternesse
  • Visé
  • Wingene

Belgian First Division A

Regular season
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Club Brugge 30 20 7 3 68 33 +35 67 Qualification for the championship play-offs
2 Anderlecht 30 16 7 7 49 42 +7 55
3 Charleroi 30 13 12 5 46 30 +16 51
4 Gent 30 14 8 8 45 27 +18 50
5 Genk 30 11 11 8 44 36 +8 44
6 Standard Liège 30 11 11 8 43 41 +2 44
7 Kortrijk 30 12 6 12 42 39 +3 42 Qualification for the Europa League play-offs
8 Antwerp 30 10 11 9 38 40 −2 41
9 Zulte Waregem 30 11 4 15 47 52 −5 37
10 Sint-Truiden 30 9 10 11 29 41 −12 37
11 Oostende 30 10 6 14 42 41 +1 36
12 Waasland-Beveren 30 9 8 13 50 51 −1 35
13 Lokeren 30 8 7 15 33 49 −16 31
14 Excel Mouscron 30 8 6 16 40 59 −19 30
15 Eupen 30 6 9 15 40 57 −17 27
16 Mechelen (R) 30 6 9 15 31 49 −18 27 Relegation to the First Division B
Source: Belgian First Division A (in Dutch), Soccerway
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.[9]
(R) Relegated


Belgian First Division B

Belgian First Amateur Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Lommel[lower-alpha 1] 30 22 5 3 69 20 +49 71 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
2 Knokke 30 18 7 5 69 32 +37 61
3 Dessel[lower-alpha 2] 30 18 6 6 53 29 +24 60
4 Deinze[lower-alpha 3] 30 15 5 10 44 30 +14 50
5 Seraing[lower-alpha 4] 30 13 9 8 50 34 +16 48
6 Heist 30 13 8 9 47 45 +2 47
7 Oudenaarde 30 13 6 11 50 36 +14 45
8 Aalst 30 13 5 12 48 46 +2 44
9 ASV Geel 30 11 6 13 47 53 −6 39
10 Virton[lower-alpha 5] 30 11 4 15 40 45 −5 37
11 Dender EH 30 9 9 12 39 52 −13 36
12 Oosterzonen 30 9 7 14 39 47 −8 34
13 Châtelet 30 6 11 13 34 53 −19 29
14 Hamme[lower-alpha 6] (R) 30 8 4 18 32 59 −27 28 Qualification for the Second Amateur Division Promotion play-offs Final
15 Berchem (R) 30 6 7 17 34 53 −19 25 Relegation to the Second Amateur Division
16 Patro Eisden Maasmechelen[lower-alpha 7] (R) 30 3 5 22 18 79 −61 14
Source: Belgian First Division A (in Dutch), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won.[12]
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ On 13 February a questionnaire revealed that only four clubs had requested a license to play in the Belgian First Division B: Deinze, Dessel, Lommel and Seraing.[10]
  2. ↑ On 13 February a questionnaire revealed that only four clubs had requested a license to play in the Belgian First Division B: Deinze, Dessel, Lommel and Seraing.[10] Dessel eventually did not receive the license as their stadium was deemed insufficient, they are thus ineligible for promotion.[11]
  3. ↑ On 13 February a questionnaire revealed that only four clubs had requested a license to play in the Belgian First Division B: Deinze, Dessel, Lommel and Seraing.[10] Deinze eventually withdrew their application for a license and are ineligible for promotion.[11]
  4. ↑ On 13 February a questionnaire revealed that only four clubs had requested a license to play in the Belgian First Division B: Deinze, Dessel, Lommel and Seraing.[10]
  5. ↑ Virton was initially refused a license for the First Amateur Division, but received it after appeal. Virton would have been relegated irrespective of their finishing position if their appeal had been denied, as they would then be placed in last place irrespective of the number of points obtained.
  6. ↑ Due to the bankruptcy of Lierse in the 2017–18 Belgian First Division B, one less team needed to relegate from the Belgian First Amateur Division, as a result, 13th placed Châtelet was saved and Hamme was not automatically relegated but rather given a chance to avoid relegation through the Promotion play-offs Final.
  7. ↑ Patro Eisden Maasmechelen did not request a license for the First Amateur Division and would have been relegated irrespective of its finishing position.

Belgian Second Amateur Division

Division A
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Rupel Boom (P) 30 19 4 7 74 49 +25 61 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian First Amateur Division
2 Mandel United 30 18 3 9 59 33 +26 57 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VFV[lower-alpha 1]
3 Sint-Eloois-Winkel 30 16 7 7 60 41 +19 55
4 Petegem 30 15 8 7 64 40 +24 53
5 Westhoek 30 16 3 11 61 56 +5 51
6 Sint-Niklaas 30 15 5 10 55 43 +12 50
7 Temse 30 14 6 10 51 42 +9 48
8 Harelbeke 30 12 7 11 45 42 +3 43
9 Brakel 30 11 8 11 41 49 −8 41
10 Gullegem 30 12 4 14 51 52 −1 40
11 Gent-Zeehaven 30 12 1 17 47 59 −12 37
12 Londerzeel 30 10 6 14 55 51 +4 36
13 Ronse 30 7 12 11 33 44 −11 33
14 Pepingen-Halle (R) 30 7 7 16 30 56 −26 28 Qualification for the relegation play-offs
15 Torhout (R) 30 7 5 18 36 67 −31 26 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Third Amateur Division
16 Bornem (R) 30 5 2 23 28 66 −38 17
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[13]
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ In theory four teams should take part in the Promotion play-offs VFV, namely the second placed team and the three period winners. Any vacant spots would be filled with the teams finishing highest in the league. However, besides Mandel United and Sint-Eloois-Winkel no other teams requested and received their licence to play in the Belgian First Amateur Division and hence two spots remain vacant.
Division B
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tessenderlo (P) 30 20 5 5 63 30 +33 65 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian First Amateur Division
2 Bocholt 30 17 6 7 57 42 +15 57
3 Spouwen-Mopertingen 30 14 10 6 56 46 +10 52
4 City Pirates 30 13 8 9 52 44 +8 47
5 Wijgmaal 30 14 4 12 53 49 +4 46
6 Vosselaar 30 11 11 8 49 35 +14 44
7 Hades 30 13 4 13 46 42 +4 43
8 Overijse 30 12 5 13 39 51 −12 41
9 Cappellen 30 11 8 11 43 37 +6 41
10 Duffel 30 11 7 12 46 46 0 40
11 Turnhout 30 8 13 9 30 34 −4 37
12 Hoogstraten 30 10 6 14 39 47 −8 36
13 Hasselt 30 10 5 15 34 45 −11 35 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VFV[lower-alpha 1]
14 Zwarte Leeuw (R) 30 6 12 12 43 47 −4 30 Qualification for the relegation play-offs
15 Tienen (R) 30 8 4 18 39 61 −22 28 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Third Amateur Division
16 Sint-Lenaarts (R) 30 6 4 20 33 66 −33 22
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[14]
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ In theory four teams should take part in the Promotion play-offs VFV, namely the second placed team and the three period winners. Any vacant spots would be filled with the teams finishing highest in the league. This would mean Bocholt, Spouwen-Mopertingen, City Pirates and Wijgmaal would normally take part, however as only Hasselt requested and received their licence to play in the Belgian First Amateur Division the three other spots remain vacant.
Division C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 RWDM (P) 28 25 1 2 84 19 +65 76 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian First Amateur Division
2 RFC Liège (P) 28 21 3 4 68 30 +38 66 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF[lower-alpha 1]
3 Olympic Charleroi 28 16 6 6 53 37 +16 54
4 Durbuy 28 13 6 9 40 37 +3 45
5 Hamoir 28 13 5 10 44 43 +1 44
6 La Louvière Centre 28 12 6 10 38 43 −5 42 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF[lower-alpha 1]
7 Walhain 28 9 10 9 38 44 −6 37
8 Waremme 28 11 5 12 48 46 +2 38
9 Acren-Lessines 28 9 7 12 44 46 −2 34
10 Solières 28 9 8 11 37 41 −4 35
11 Meux 28 8 7 13 48 55 −7 31
12 Rebecq 28 8 7 13 41 51 −10 31
13 Ciney[lower-alpha 2] 28 5 9 14 35 48 −13 24
14 Sprimont Comblain (R) 28 5 3 20 29 62 −33 18 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Third Amateur Division
15 La Calamine (R) 28 3 3 22 25 70 −45 12
16 WS Brussels[lower-alpha 3] (R) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[16]
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 In theory four teams should take part in the Promotion play-offs ACFF, namely the second placed team and the three period winners. Any vacant spots would be filled with the teams finishing highest in the league. This would mean FC Liège, Olympic Charleroi, Durbuy and Hamoir would normally take part, however the latter two teams have not requested (or received) their licence to play in the Belgian First Amateur Division. As only La Louvière Centre has received a licence from the other remaining teams, they will take part while the last spot remains vacant.
  2. ↑ Ciney might still be relegated depending on the result of the 2017–18 Belgian First Amateur Division. If the team participating in the Second Amateur Division Promotion play-offs Final is from the ACFF and relegates due to losing these play-offs, then in case the replacing team is from the VFV an extra team from the ACFF would be relegated, which would be Ciney based on their finishing position.
  3. ↑ WS Brussels was excluded from all competitions on 29 September 2017 and automatically placed in last position. If the club does not manage to pay its outstanding debts, its matricule will also be cancelled and the club will cease to exist.[15]

Belgian Third Amateur Division

Division A
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Menen (P) 30 19 5 6 66 35 +31 62 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian Second Amateur Division
2 Dikkelvenne (P) 30 18 4 8 71 36 +35 58 Qualification to Promotion play-offs VFV
3 Wingene 30 16 9 5 47 23 +24 57
4 Eppegem (P) 30 16 7 7 60 42 +18 55
5 Wetteren 30 14 8 8 46 38 +8 50
6 Lebbeke 30 13 8 9 47 40 +7 47
7 Melsele 30 12 7 11 52 44 +8 43
8 Wervik 30 12 7 11 43 43 0 43
9 Merelbeke 30 11 10 9 51 44 +7 43
10 Wolvertem Merchtem 30 10 9 11 40 49 −9 39
11 Lede 30 10 6 14 41 48 −7 36
12 Stekene 30 9 8 13 43 51 −8 35
13 Ninove (R) 30 8 8 14 45 57 −12 32 Qualification to relegation play-offs
14 Grimbergen (R) 30 7 5 18 34 62 −28 26 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Mariekerke (R) 30 6 8 16 38 55 −17 26
16 Vlamertinge (R) 30 2 5 23 13 70 −57 11
Source: https://www.vbal4.be/p010241z9.htm
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Division B
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Heur-Tongeren (P) 30 17 4 9 59 37 +22 55 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian Second Amateur Division
2 Wellen 30 15 10 5 53 31 +22 55 Qualification to Promotion play-offs VFV
3 Termien 30 16 6 8 60 39 +21 54
4 Diegem (P) 30 15 5 10 61 43 +18 50
5 Leopoldsburg 30 14 6 10 54 39 +15 48
6 Bilzen 30 14 6 10 60 54 +6 48
7 Nijlen 30 13 6 11 54 55 −1 45
8 Esperanza Pelt 30 13 5 12 54 50 +4 44
9 Woluwe-Zaventem 30 11 8 11 55 51 +4 41
10 Houtvenne 30 11 7 12 60 59 +1 40
11 Kampenhout 30 10 8 12 41 49 −8 38
12 Ternesse 30 9 7 14 54 69 −15 34
13 Diest (R) 30 9 5 16 41 66 −25 32 Qualification to relegation play-offs
14 Hoeilaart (R) 30 8 6 16 39 68 −29 30 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Herentals (R) 30 7 6 17 38 59 −21 27
16 Sterrebeek (R) 30 6 9 15 40 54 −14 27
Source: https://int.soccerway.com/national/belgium/promotion/20162017/vfv-b/r37999/
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Division C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 La Louvière (P) 30 21 6 3 74 24 +50 69 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian Second Amateur Division
2 Francs Borains (P) 30 20 6 4 80 31 +49 66 Qualification to Promotion play-offs ACFF
3 Onhaye 30 18 2 10 66 47 +19 56
4 Tournai 30 16 7 7 45 27 +18 55
5 Couvin-Mariembourg (P) 30 16 6 8 61 43 +18 54
6 Binche 30 16 4 10 56 53 +3 52
7 Wavre 30 15 7 8 58 47 +11 52
8 Entité Manageoise 30 11 8 11 52 50 +2 41
9 Albert Quevy-Mons 30 10 9 11 44 40 +4 39
10 Jeunesse Tamines 30 10 7 13 46 56 −10 37
11 Ganshoren 30 10 6 14 40 54 −14 36
12 Léopold 30 9 5 16 47 50 −3 32
13 Stade Brainois 30 8 5 17 35 52 −17 29 Qualification to relegation play-offs
14 Spy (R) 30 6 4 20 39 83 −44 22 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Solre (R) 30 4 8 18 35 67 −32 20
16 Waterloo (R) 30 4 2 24 34 88 −54 14
Source: https://int.soccerway.com/national/belgium/promotion/20162017/vfv-b/r37999/
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Division D
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tilleur (P) 30 21 4 5 73 24 +49 67 Promotion to the 2018–19 Belgian Second Amateur Division
2 Visé (P) 30 19 7 4 83 32 +51 64 Qualification to Promotion play-offs ACFF
3 Stockay 30 17 7 6 59 33 +26 58
4 Aische 30 14 8 8 53 39 +14 50
5 Herstal 30 12 11 7 76 59 +17 47
6 Longlier 30 13 6 11 46 49 −3 45
7 Aywaille 30 13 4 13 60 59 +1 43
8 Givry 30 11 10 9 66 48 +18 43
9 Richelle 30 11 9 10 58 42 +16 42
10 Verlaine 30 10 10 10 51 45 +6 40
11 Huy 30 10 9 11 51 52 −1 39
12 Mormont 30 10 8 12 45 53 −8 38
13 Bertrix 30 10 6 14 36 61 −25 36 Qualification to relegation play-offs
14 Habay (R) 30 8 6 16 41 54 −13 30 Relegation to the 2018–19 Belgian Provincial Leagues
15 Namur[lower-alpha 1] (R) 30 2 4 24 31 111 −80 10
16 Cointe (R) 30 1 7 22 25 93 −68 10
Source: https://int.soccerway.com/national/belgium/promotion/20162017/vfv-b/r37999/
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ UR Namur has been sanctioned by the control commission of the Belgian FA for financial irregularities and outstanding debts to former players and staff. The team will face relegation and start the 2018–19 season with a penalty of 9 points. If they had achieved promotion during the 2017–18 season, the club would have remained in the Belgian Third Amateur Division, however as they relegated, they immediately dropped two levels, not one.[17]

Cup competitions

Competition Winner Score Runner-up
2017–18 Belgian Cup Standard Liège 1–0 Genk
2017 Belgian Super Cup Anderlecht 2–1 Zulte Waregem

Transfers

UEFA competitions

Champions Anderlecht qualified directly for the group stage of the Champions League, while runners-up Club Brugge started in the qualifying rounds. As cup winner, Zulte Waregem qualified directly for the group stage of the Europa League, while Gent and Oostende started in the qualifying rounds.

Overall, Belgian football clubs performed very poorly during the 2017–18 season, as both Club Brugge, Gent and Oostende failed to qualify for the group stages. Anderlecht only managed to win one match in the Champions League and although Zulte Waregem scored 7 points in their Europa League group they were also eliminated, causing all Belgian teams to be eliminated from European football before the winter break.

  • Anderlecht was drawn in group B of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League together with giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich and looked to be battling it out with Celtic for the third place. Anderlecht lost the first 5 matches before winning 0–1 in Glasgow, but as they needed to overcome an earlier 0–3 home loss to become third, they were eliminated.
  • Club Brugge first failed to qualify for the group stage of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League after losing out to İstanbul Başakşehir before being eliminated by AEK Athens in the Play-off round.
  • In the same manner as Anderlecht but in the Europa League rather than the Champions League, Zulte Waregem had also qualified directly for the group stage and failed to progress. Zulte Waregem also faced strong competition, being drawn against Lazio, Nice and Vitesse. Following 1–5 and 2–0 losses against Nice and Lazio respectively, they managed to obtain four points from their two duels with Vitesse. On the fifth matchday, an away loss to Nice meant elimination from the competition, but they finished the competition in style, with a 3–2 home win against Lazio.
  • Gent, who reached the round of 16 of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, now immediately lost out to minnows Rheindorf Altach in the second qualifying round.
  • Oostende entered European football for the first time in the history of the club. They were drawn against French giants Marseille and held them to a 0–0 draw at home. As they head earlier lost 4–2 in Marseille, they were also eliminated.
Date Team Competition Round Leg Opponent Location Score Belgian Team Goalscorers
26 July 2017 Club Brugge Champions League Qual. Round 3 Leg 1, Home Turkey İstanbul Başakşehir Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 3–3 Dennis, Denswil (2)
27 July 2017 Gent Europa League Qual. Round 3 Leg 1, Home Austria Rheindorf Altach Ghelamco Arena, Ghent 1–1 Coulibaly
27 July 2017 Oostende Europa League Qual. Round 3 Leg 1, Away France Marseille Stade Vélodrome, Marseille 4–2 Siani (p), Musona
2 August 2017 Club Brugge Champions League Qual. Round 3 Leg 2, Away Turkey İstanbul Başakşehir Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium, Istanbul 2–0
3 August 2017 Gent Europa League Qual. Round 3 Leg 2, Away Austria Rheindorf Altach Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck[A] 3–1 Milićević (p)
3 August 2017 Oostende Europa League Qual. Round 3 Leg 2, Home France Marseille Versluys Arena, Ostend 0–0
17 August 2017 Club Brugge Europa League Play-off round Leg 1, Home Greece AEK Athens Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 0–0
24 August 2017 Club Brugge Europa League Play-off round Leg 2, Away Greece AEK Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens 3–0
12 September 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1, Away Germany Bayern Munich Allianz Arena, Munich 3–0
14 September 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 1, Home France Nice Regenboogstadion, Waregem 1–5 Leya Iseka
27 September 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 2, Home Scotland Celtic Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht 0–3
28 September 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 2, Away Italy Lazio Stadio Olimpico, Rome 2–0
18 October 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 3, Home France Paris Saint-Germain Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht 0–4
19 October 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 3, Home Netherlands Vitesse Regenboogstadion, Waregem 1–1 Kashia (o.g.)
31 October 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 4, Away France Paris Saint-Germain Parc des Princes, Paris 5–0
2 November 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 4, Away Netherlands Vitesse GelreDome, Arnhem 0–2 Dabo (o.g.), Kaya
22 November 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5, Home Germany Bayern Munich Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht 1–2 Hanni
23 November 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 5, Away France Nice Allianz Riviera, Nice 3–1 Hämäläinen
5 December 2017 Anderlecht Champions League Group Stage Matchday 6, Away Scotland Celtic Celtic Park, Glasgow 0–1 Šimunović (o.g.)
7 December 2017 Zulte Waregem Europa League Group Stage Matchday 6, Home Italy Lazio Regenboogstadion, Waregem 3–2 De Pauw, Heylen, Leya Iseka
  1. ^
    Rheindorf Altach played their third qualifying round and play-off round home matches at Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Schnabelholz, Altach.

European qualification for 2018–19 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 for Non-Champions Standard Liège 2nd in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa League Group Stage Anderlecht 3rd in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round Gent 4th in Belgian First Division A
UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round Genk Europa League Playoff winner

Managerial changes

This is a list of changes of managers within Belgian professional league football (Belgian First Division A and Belgian First Division B):

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position Replaced by Date of appointment
Waasland-Beveren North Macedonia Čedomir Janevski Mutual consent End of 2016–17 season Pre-season Belgium Philippe Clement 24 May 2017 [18]
Club Brugge Belgium Michel Preud'homme End of 2016–17 season Croatia Ivan Leko 8 June 2017 [19]
Kortrijk France Karim Belhocine Replaced End of 2016–17 season Greece Yannis Anastasiou 20 May 2017 [notes 2] [20]
Standard Liège Belgium José Jeunechamps (caretaker) Caretaker replaced End of 2016–17 season Portugal Ricardo Sá Pinto 11 June 2017 [21]
Sint-Truiden Croatia Ivan Leko Signed by Club Brugge 8 June 2017 [19] Spain Tintín Márquez 22 June 2017 [22]
Antwerp Belgium Wim De Decker Demoted to assistant coach 16 June 2017 [23] Romania László Bölöni 16 June 2017 [23]
Westerlo Belgium Jacky Mathijssen Mutual consent 21 June 2017 [24] Bosnia and Herzegovina Vedran Pelić 21 June 2017 [24]
Sint-Truiden Spain Tintín Márquez Sacked 7 August 2017 [25] 8th Belgium Jonas De Roeck 10 August 2017 [26]
Lokeren Iceland Rúnar Kristinsson 9 August 2017 [27] 15th Belgium Peter Maes 9 August 2017 [27]
Roeselare France Arnauld Mercier 12 September 2017 [28] 5th Netherlands Dennis van Wijk 28 September 2017 [29]
Anderlecht Switzerland René Weiler 18 September 2017 [30] 9th Argentina Nicolás Frutos (caretaker) 18 September 2017 [30]
Oostende Belgium Yves Vanderhaeghe 19 September 2017 [31] 16th Bosnia and Herzegovina Adnan Čustović 19 September 2017 [31]
OH Leuven Netherlands Dennis van Wijk Replaced 22 September 2017 [32] 4th England Nigel Pearson 22 September 2017 [32]
Gent Belgium Hein Vanhaezebrouck Mutual consent 27 September 2017 [33] 14th Belgium Yves Vanderhaeghe 4 October 2017 [34]
Anderlecht Argentina Nicolás Frutos Caretaker replaced 3 October 2017 [35] 7th Belgium Hein Vanhaezebrouck 3 October 2017 [35]
Lierse Belgium Frederik Vanderbiest Sacked 6 October 2017 [36] 7th Belgium William Still 11 October 2017 [37]
Cercle Brugge Belgium José Riga 16 October 2017 [38] 3rd Belgium Franky Vercauteren 16 October 2017 [39]
Mechelen Belgium Yannick Ferrera 23 October 2017 [40] 15th Belgium Tom Caluwé (caretaker) 23 October 2017 [40]
Mechelen Belgium Tom Caluwé (caretaker) Caretaker replaced 1 November 2017 [41] 16th Serbia Aleksandar Janković 1 November 2017 [41]
Eupen Spain Jordi Condom Sacked 6 November 2017 [42] 16th France Claude Makélélé 6 November 2017 [42]
Kortrijk Greece Yannis Anastasiou 8 November 2017 [43] 15th Belgium Glen De Boeck 8 November 2017 [44]
Tubize Senegal Sadio Demba 13 November 2017 [45] Closing tournament: 6th
Overall: 8th		 France Philippe Thys 13 November 2017 [45]
Lierse Belgium William Still Did not possess correct UEFA diploma to remain manager 2 December 2017 [46] Closing tournament: 1st
Overall: 3rd		 Belgium David Colpaert 2 December 2017 [46]
Westerlo Bosnia and Herzegovina Vedran Pelić Replaced 5 December 2017 [47] Closing tournament: 8th
Overall: 7th		 Belgium Bob Peeters 5 December 2017 [47]
Genk Netherlands Albert Stuivenberg Sacked 10 December 2017 [48] 9th Belgium Philippe Clement 19 December 2017 [49]
Waasland-Beveren Belgium Philippe Clement Signed for Genk 19 December 2017 [49] 7th Belgium Sven Vermant 5 January 2018 [50]
Roeselare Netherlands Dennis van Wijk Sacked 19 January 2018 [51] Closing tournament: 7th
Overall: 5th		 Spain Jordi Condom 25 January 2018 [52]
Mechelen Serbia Aleksandar Janković 24 January 2018 [49] 15th Netherlands Dennis van Wijk 24 January 2018 [53]
Excel Mouscron Romania Mircea Rednic 14 February 2018 [54] 12th Belgium Frank Defays 14 February 2018 [55]
Waasland-Beveren Belgium Sven Vermant 9 May 2018 [56] Regular season: 12th
Europa League POs: 6th		 Belgium Dirk Geeraerd (caretaker) 9 May 2018 [56]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Bosnia and Herzegovina were sanctioned by FIFA to play one home match (against Belgium on 7 October 2017) away from Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica due to a series of incidents during their home match against Greece.[1]
  2. ↑ Anastasiou was announced as manager on 24 April 2017 but only replaced Karim Belhocine after the final match of the season.

References

  1. ↑ "Disciplinary Overview - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers (July 2017)" (PDF). FIFA.com. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Match report – Group G – Belgium v Panama" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Match report – Group G – Belgium v Tunisia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Match report – Group G – England v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Match report – Round of 16 – Belgium v Japan" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 2 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "Match report – Quarter-final – Brazil v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Match report – Semi-final – France v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Match report – Play-off for third place – Belgium v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "First Division A 2016/2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Slechts vier amateurclubs vragen een licentie aan voor 1B" [Only four amateur teams request license for first division B] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Eersteklassers krijgen licentie, Lierse niet" [First division teams receive license, Lierse does not] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "First Division A 2017/2018 - Season rules". vbal4. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Belgian First Amateur Division A 2017/2018 - Season rules". vbal4. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "Belgian First Amateur Division B 2017/2018 - Season rules". vbal4. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  15. ↑ http://www.dhnet.be/regions/bruxelles/le-white-star-ou-la-chronique-d-une-mort-annoncee-59cd5896cd70461d265402dd
  16. ↑ "Belgian First Amateur Division C 2017/2018 - Season rules". vbal4. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  17. ↑ http://www.urnamur.be/news/communique-de-presse-cession-de-patrimoine/
  18. ↑ "Waasland-Beveren gaat in zee met Philippe Clement" [Waasland-Beveren starts cooperation with Philippe Clement] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-05-24.
  19. 1 2 "Ivan Leko is de nieuwe coach van Club Brugge" [Ivan Leko new head coach at Club Brugge] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-06-08.
  20. ↑ "Ex-Anderlecht-spits Anastasiou traint volgend seizoen Kortrijk" [Former Anderlecht-striker Anastasiou to coach Kortrijk next season] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-04-24.
  21. ↑ "Ex-Rouche Ricardo Sa Pinto moet Standard weer op de rails krijgen" [Former-Red Ricardo Sa Pinto to get Standard back on track] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-06-11.
  22. ↑ "Nieuwe trainer Marquez duikt op in Sint-Truiden voor eerste training" [New coach Marquez appears in Sint-Truiden for first training session] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-06-22.
  23. 1 2 "Laszlo Bölöni voorgesteld als nieuwe trainer van Antwerp" [Laszlo Bölöni presented as new head coach of Antwerp] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-06-16.
  24. 1 2 "Mathijssen verlaat Westerlo dan toch, T2 Pelic wordt T1" [Mathijssen does leave Westerlo after all, assistant Pelić becomes head coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-06-21.
  25. ↑ "STVV neemt na amper 2 speeldagen afscheid van coach Marquez Lopez" [STVV departs from coach Marquez Lopez already after two matchdays] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-08-07.
  26. ↑ "De Roeck verlaat Berchem en wordt de nieuwe trainer van STVV" [De Roeck leaves Berchem and becomes new head coach of STVV] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-08-10.
  27. 1 2 "Peter Maes volgt Runar Kristinsson op bij Lokeren" [Peter Maes succeeds Runar Kristinsson at Lokeren] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-08-09.
  28. ↑ "Roeselare slachtoffert coach Arnauld Mercier na 5 speeldagen" [Roeselare sacrifices coach Arnauld Mercier after 5 matchdays] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-09-12.
  29. ↑ "Van Wijk begint aan derde ambtstermijn bij Roeselare" [Van Wijk starts third term at Roeselare] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-09-28.
  30. 1 2 "Wegen van Anderlecht en René Weiler scheiden" [Anderlecht and René Weiler part ways] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-09-18.
  31. 1 2 "KV Oostende ontslaat Vanderhaeghe: "Met 1 op 21 konden we niet anders"" [KV Oostende sacks Vanderhaeghe: "1 out of 21 left us no choice"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-09-19.
  32. 1 2 "Nigel Pearson nieuwe coach van OH Leuven" [Nigel Pearson new coach of OH Leuven] (in Dutch). ohl.be. 2017-09-22. Archived from the original on 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  33. ↑ "Vanhaezebrouck en AA Gent zetten samenwerking stop: "Het doet pijn"" [Vanhaezebrouck and AA Gent end cooperation: "It hurts"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-09-27.
  34. ↑ "Vanderhaeghe volgt Vanhaezebrouck op bij AA Gent: "Snel weer winnen"" [Vanderhaeghe succeeds Vanhaezebrouck at AA Gent: "Quickly win again"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-04.
  35. 1 2 "Vanhaezebrouck tekent contract voor 3 jaar als Anderlecht-coach" [Vanhaezebrouck signs contract for 3 years as Anderlecht-coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-03.
  36. ↑ "Lierse en coach Vanderbiest zijn uit elkaar" [Lierse and coach Vanderbiest have split up] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-06.
  37. ↑ "Lierse geeft 24-jarige William Still kans als hoofdcoach" [Lierse gives 24-year old William Still a chance as head coach] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-11.
  38. ↑ "José Riga krijgt de bons bij Cercle Brugge" [José Riga gets sacked at Cercle Brugge] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-16.
  39. ↑ "Vercauteren moet Cercle Brugge weer naar hoogste klasse loodsen" [Vercauteren to guide Cercle Brugge back to the highest division] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-16.
  40. 1 2 "KV Mechelen ontslaat coach Yannick Ferrera: "Het was op tussen trainer en spelers"" [KV Mechelen relieves coach Yannick Ferrera: "It was over between trainer and coach"] (in Dutch). nieuwsblad.be. 2017-10-23.
  41. 1 2 "Jankovic keert terug als trainer van KV Mechelen: "Hij wil iets goedmaken"" [Jankovic returns as coach of KV Mechelen: "He wants to make up for something"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-11-01.
  42. 1 2 "Claude Makélélé (ex-Chelsea en ex-Real) is de nieuwe trainer van Eupen" [Claude Makélélé (ex-Chelsea en ex-Real) is de nieuwe trainer van Eupen] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-11-06.
  43. ↑ "KV Kortrijk zet de samenwerking met Anastasiou stop" [KV Kortrijk ends cooperation with Anastasiou] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-11-08.
  44. ↑ "Glen De Boeck is de nieuwe coach van Kortrijk" [Glen De Boeck is the new manager of Kortrijk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-11-08.
  45. 1 2 "Nieuwe coach moet Tubeke helpen in degradatiestrijd" [New manager to help Tubeke in relegation battle] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-11-13.
  46. 1 2 "Colpaert neemt over van Still bij Lierse: "Maar er verandert niet veel"" [Colpaert takes over form Still at Lierse: "But not much will change"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-06.
  47. 1 2 "Bob Peeters keert na een jaar weer terug naar Westerlo" [Bob Peeters returns to Westerlo after one year] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-10-06.
  48. ↑ "Genk ontslaat Stuivenberg: "Dachten dat we met Albert PO I niet zouden halen"" [Genk sacks Stuivenberg: "Believe we will not reach PO I with Albert Stuivenberg"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-12-10.
  49. 1 2 3 "Clement neemt afscheid van spelers: "Dit waren moeilijke dagen"" [Clement says goodbye to players: "Difficult few days"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-12-19.
  50. ↑ "Sven Vermant volgt Philippe Clement op bij Waasland-Beveren" [Sven Vermant succeeds Philippe Clement at Waasland-Beveren] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2018-01-05.
  51. ↑ "Samenwerking met Dennis van Wijk stopgezet" [Cooperation with Dennis van Wijk cancelled] (in Dutch). ksvroeselare.be. 2018-01-19. Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  52. ↑ "Ex-Eupen-coach Condom gaat bij Roeselare aan de slag" [Ex-Eupen-coach Condom starts working at Roeselare] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2018-01-25.
  53. ↑ "DENNIS VAN WIJK NIEUWE TRAINER KVM" [DENNIS VAN WIJK NEW TRAINER OF KVM] (in Dutch). kvmechelen.be. 2018-01-24. Archived from the original on 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  54. ↑ "Moeskroen zet coach Mircea Rednic op de keien" [Mouscron kicks coach Mircea Rednic to the curb] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2018-02-14.
  55. ↑ "Ex-Charleroi-speler Defays krijgt zijn kans als coach bij Moeskroen" [Ex-Charleroi-player Defays gets his chance as coach with Mouscron] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2018-02-14.
  56. 1 2 "Kop van Vermant rolt bij Waasland-Beveren na 8-0-pandoering" [Head of Vermant rolls at Waasland-Beveren following 8-0-thrashing] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2018-05-09.
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