2017–2019 Belgian football fraud scandal
In
Starting in late 2017, the investigation rose to national prominence on October 10, 2018, when 44 house searches were carried out across Belgium and 14 more house searches internationally. 29 suspects were arrested in Belgium, and four more abroad. Of the 29 arrested in Belgium, 20 were charged with one or more crimes.[2][3] During the weeks following the raids, three additional suspects were arrested and criminally charged.[4][5][6]
Background
Following the Ye affair in 2005, the Belgian Federal Police launched the Sports Fraud Cell, a department of the Central Office for the Repression of Corruption (OCRC). Jointly managed by the Federal Public Prosecutor and the OCRC, the main task of the department is to gather and corroborate intelligence concerning sports fraud, corruption and match-fixing. If deemed necessary, an investigation is launched by the federal police.
In early 2017, the Sports Fraud Cell received a report from the Belgian
Investigation
The investigation broadly consists of three components: two parts relating to money laundering and fraud, and a third relating to potential match-fixing. Two player agents, Mogi Bayat and Dejan Veljkovic, would have set up, independently of each other, a scheme to hide commissions from Belgian authorities. These payments included commissions on player transfers, player and manager wages, and other payments. During the investigation of these schemes, indications of possible match-fixing arose. The match-fixing pertains to at least two relegation matches in competition season 2017-2018.[2]
On November 12, after the high-profile arrests were made, the
On November 20, Dejan Veljkovic, widely regarded as a key suspect in the investigation, signed a
Three months after Veljkovic's plea deal, on February 19 and 20, 16 more people were questioned by investigators. Additionally, 3 buildings were searched. Among those questioned were
From June 25 until June 28, additional people including Georges Leekens, François De Keersmaecker, Ivan Leko, Herman Van Holsbeeck, and Steven Martens, were interrogated, confronting them with Dejan Velkovic's statements.[15][16][17]
In January 2021, the investigation based on the statements of Veljkovic was completed which resulted in a request by the Federal prosecutor's office to bring 57 of the 73 suspects to court for various charges ranging from money laundering, financial fraud and fictive arrangements over influencing decisions of the disputes committee to outright match fixing. The investigation points towards Uros Jankovic, business partner of Veljkovic, as a leading person in setting up a system of hidden fees and payments towards players, managers, sports agents and club board members. Amongst the final list of suspects are some well known names, including referees Bart Vertenten and Sébastien Delferière, agent Mogi Bayat, managers Peter Maes, Ivan Leko, Glen De Boeck and Yannick Ferrera. Several club managers are involved, including Thierry Steemans (Mechelen), Herman Van Holsbeeck (Anderlecht), Vincent Mannaert (Club Brugge), Michel Louwagie (Gent), Patrick Janssens (Genk), Bruno Venanzi (Standard Liège), Roger Lambrecht (Lokeren) and Bart Verhaeghe (Club Brugge). Also former Belgian FA president François De Keersmaecker and former secretary-general Steven Martens are called up to the stand. It is estimated 16 of the 26 clubs at the highest two levels of Belgian football are somehow involved, most notably KV Mechelen, Anderlecht, Charleroi, Standard, Kortrijk, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, Waasland-Beveren, Lokeren, Genk, Club Brugge and Gent.[18] Besides this list of 57 suspects being prosecuted, the "Special Tax Inspection" unit (Dutch: "Bijzondere Belastinginspectie") of the Federal Public Service Finance also has a list of more than 200 names (individuals and organisations such as football clubs) which are being specially audited due to a suspicion of financial fraud, tax evasion or money laundering. Although this list has not been released, it is known that there is a large overlap between the 57 names being prosecuted and the 200+ being audited.
10 October 2018 searches
On October 10, 2018, the federal police searched 44 buildings across Belgium, mostly focused on football club headquarters and suspect's residences. The headquarters of
Internationally, 14 locations were searched in 6 other countries: France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia. During these searches, coordinated by Eurojust, documents and assets on bank accounts and in safes worth a total amount of 3.6 million euros were seized. No arrests were made during the searches at banks and a company in Luxembourg.[19] In Cyprus, a 52-year-old man was arrested on a European arrest warrant, with extradition procedures underway. More than 15 Cypriot police officers, and two Belgian investigators were involved in the searches of four properties in Nicosia and Famagusta, where four computers, two laptops, two iPads, and documents were seized.[20] Six locations in the cities Belgrade and Niš, Serbia, were searched, resulting in the seizure of up to €800,000 which allegedly originated from organized crime in Belgium. Uros Jankovic, business associate of Dejan Veljkovic, was also arrested Wednesday in Belgrade and ordered to be extradited.[21] 4 people were arrested during these international searches, and 2 European arrest warrants were issued.
In total, 184 Belgian and 36 foreign police officers participated in the searches, in Belgium and abroad.[22]
Because of the size and scope of the investigation, as well as the number of suspects arrested after the searches, up to 3 examining magistrates were working concurrently to process those arrested. Multiple examining magistrates being assigned to a single investigation is very unusual in Belgium, with the exception of terrorism cases.[23]
September 2019 searches
In September 2019, two people were detained in connection with the inquiry into alleged fraud involving the transfer of football players. Agent, Christophe Henrotary was detained in
Charges
Throughout the investigation, 23 people were accused of one or multiple crimes. 17 were released on conditions and 6 were released without conditions. Among those charged are player agents, referees, club executives and board members, journalists, players, and managers.[2]
Accused | Charge(s) | Status |
---|---|---|
Mogi Bayat, player agent | Criminal organisation, money laundering
|
Released on conditions[26] |
Marija Bogojevska, Dejan Veljkovic's wife | Criminal organisation, money laundering | Released on conditions[27] |
KV Mechelen player
|
Criminal organisation, money laundering | Released on conditions[5] |
Frank Dekeyser, journalist for Het Laatste Nieuws | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released without conditions[3] |
Sébastien Delferière, referee | Criminal organisation, money laundering, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
Laurent Denis, Mogi Bayat's attorney | Criminal organisation, money laundering | Released on conditions[26] |
Dirk Huyck, Waasland-Beveren
|
Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
Stijn Joris, journalist for Het Laatste Nieuws | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released without conditions[3] |
Ivan Leko, manager of Club Brugge | Money laundering | Released without conditions[3] |
Peter Maes, former manager of Lokeren | Criminal organisation, money laundering | Released on conditions[4] |
Evert Maeschalck, player agent | Private corruption (bribery) | Released without conditions[6] |
Karim Mejjati, player agent | Money laundering | Released on conditions[27] |
Walter Mortelmans, player agent | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
Olivier Myny, football player for OH Leuven, previously Waasland-Beveren | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released without conditions[3] |
Dragan Siljanoski, player agent | Money laundering | Released on conditions[27] |
Olivier Somers, shareholder of KV Mechelen | Criminal organisation, money laundering, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[28] |
Thierry Steemans, financial director of KV Mechelen
|
Criminal organisation, money laundering, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[26] |
Olivier Swolfs, financial director of Waasland-Beveren | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
Thomas Troch, player agent | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
David Van den Broeck, journalist for Het Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released without conditions[3] |
Stefaan Vanroy, sporting director of KV Mechelen | Criminal organisation, money laundering, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[3] |
Dejan Veljkovic, player agent | Criminal organisation, money laundering, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[12] |
Bart Vertenten, referee | Criminal organisation, private corruption (bribery) | Released on conditions[9] |
Royal Belgian Football Association investigation
On 23 April 2019, the Investigating Commission of the Royal Belgian Football Association completed its investigation into possible match-fixing during the matches KV Mechelen v. Waasland-Beveren (2-0) and
Accused (role) | Penalty |
---|---|
KV Mechelen (accused club)
|
Convicted of match-fixing: one season without European football, one season without Belgian Cup football. |
Waasland-Beveren (accused club)
|
Acquitted. |
Walter Clippeleyr (member of management at Waasland-Beveren) | Acquitted. |
Dirk Huyck (president of Waasland-Beveren) | Convicted of failing to report match-fixing: 1-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension (suspended sentence). |
Evert Maeschalck (player agent) | Acquitted. |
Walter Mortelmans (player agent) | Convicted of match-fixing: 3-year suspension from being a player agent (of which 2 years suspended). |
Olivier Myny (former player of Waasland-Beveren) | Acquitted |
Olivier Somers (shareholder KV Mechelen) | Convicted of match-fixing: 10-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension. |
Thierry Steemans (financial director of KV Mechelen) | Convicted of match-fixing: 10-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension. |
Olivier Swolfs (financial director of Waasland-Beveren) | Convicted of failing to report match-fixing: 1-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension. |
Johan Timmermans (former president of KV Mechelen) | Convicted of match-fixing: 10-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension. |
Thomas Troch (player agent) | Convicted of match-fixing: 3-year suspension from being a player agent (of which 1 year suspended). |
Jozef Van Remoortel (vice-president of Waasland-Beveren) | Acquitted. |
Stefaan Vanroy (sports director of KV Mechelen) | Convicted of match-fixing: 7-year Royal Belgian Football Association suspension. |
Dejan Veljkovic (player agent) | Convicted of match-fixing: 10-year suspension from being a player agent |
Civil Parties
In Belgian criminal law, a civil party (nl) is a person or entity claiming to be injured by a crime, to be awarded damages following the proceedings.
As of November 2018, 4 entities have claimed to be a civil party to the investigation: the
Reactions
On October 11, 2018, the Pro League announced that the tenth match day for the First Division B, planned for October 13 and October 14, would be postponed.[37]
Johan Verbist, arbitration coordinator for the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), announced on October 11 that Bart Vertenten and Sébastien Delferière were suspended following the investigation, with the RBFA aiming to make this suspension permanent. Delferière was supposed to referee a Nations League match on October 13, but was quickly replaced by the UEFA at the request of Verbist.[38][37]
Several politicians, including
On October 17, 2018, the Pro League announced it will set up a commission consisting of three independent experts, tasked with proposing reforms to the board of directors. This commission will consist of renowned jurist Melchior Wathelet, Wouter Lambrecht, and Pierre François, CEO of the Pro League.[35][40]
On October 19, a week after 2 sports journalists working for Het Laatste Nieuws were charged, the newspaper announced that its top sports journalist would be taking a leave of absence, to analyze whether any deontological rule was breached. Although the journalist was not charged, he came under scrutiny because of his close ties to one of the involved player agents.[41]
During an interview on De Ochtend, a Radio 1 programme, Sports Fraud Cell coordinator Eric Bisschop called for regulations for player agents in coordination with European directives, federal and regional laws, as well as collaboration with the RBFA, UEFA and FIFA.[1]
On November 6, almost a month after the news of the raids broke, Marc Coucke and Pierre François, chairman and CEO of the Pro League respectively, testified before the Chamber of Representatives. During a session held by the Finances and Budget committee, Coucke defended the RSZ "tax shelter" for professional sports players. Politicians from all major Flemish parties announced intentions to revise these reductions, however Coucke mitigated this, saying the Belgian professional football industry could not afford the loss of this favorable rate and would need a different kind of subsidy.[40]
References
- ^ a b c Bisschop, Eric (2018-10-26). "De Ochtend" (Interview). Interviewed by Xavier Taveirne. Radio 1. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Press Release by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office - D1/026/18". Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "21 mensen in verdenking in fraudedossier van Belgisch voetbal" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
- ^ VRT. 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ VRT. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- ^ a b "Ook makelaar Evert Maeschalck in verdenking gesteld in Belgisch voetbaldossier" (in Dutch). De Morgen. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
- VRT. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- VRT. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ VRT. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- VRT. 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- VRT. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ VRT. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ "Press Release by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office - D1/026/18". Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
- ^ "Gerecht ondervraagt ook Patrick Janssens en Roger Lambrecht in Operatie 'schone handen'" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
- VRT. 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
- VRT. 2019-06-27. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
- ^ "Leekens, Van Holsbeeck en De Keersmaecker ondervraagd in Operatie Zero" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- VRT. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ "Festnahmen im belgischen Fußball, Durchsuchungen in Luxemburg" (in German). Luxemburger Wort. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ^ "FOOTBALL: Cyprus arrest as part of Belgium match-fixing raids". Financial Mirror. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ^ "EKSKLUZIVNO! "Blic" saznaje: Policija u Srbiji zaplenila 800.000 EVRA "PRLJAVOG" NOVCA od fudbalskih nameštaljki u Belgiji!" (in Serbian). Blic. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- VRT. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- VRT. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
- ^ "Belgium football transfer: Two arrested in fraud inquiry". bbc.com. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Belgian Football Fraud: Christophe Henrotay out on bail". brusselstimes.com. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ VRT. 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ a b c "'Schone Handen': twee spelersmakelaars en vriendin Veljkovic vrijgelaten" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- VRT. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ "KV Mechelen, Waasland-Beveren en 13 personen gedaagd: wat hangt hen boven het hoofd?" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
- ^ "Start proces tegen KV Mechelen en Waasland-Beveren: 'rechten van verdediging geschonden'" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "KV Mechelen vangt bot bij rechtbank" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "OFFICIEEL: KV Mechelen degradeert, 4 bestuurders veroordeeld, Waasland-Beveren niet" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "BAS: KV Mechelen mag Europa niet in, maar start in 1A zonder puntenaftrek" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- VRT. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ a b "Persbericht Pro League na RvB van 17 oktober" (in Dutch). Pro League. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
- ^ "Beerschot Wilrijk is burgerlijke partij in fraudedossier: "Zaak van dichtbij volgen"" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ VRT. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Refs Vertenten en Delferière zijn geschorst: "Klap voor imago van refs"" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ^ "Politiek wil fiscale voordelen voetballers herbekijken" (in Dutch). Het Laatste Nieuws. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
- ^ VRT. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ "Chef voetbal Het Laatste Nieuws moet tijdelijk afstand nemen" (in Dutch). Sporza. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2018-10-22.