Football in Belgium
Encyclopedia
Football
, a sport which has been played in Belgium
since the end of the 19th century, is that country's most popular sport
. The national association
was founded in 1895 with the intention of bringing some order and organization to the sport. The first match of the national team was played on May 1, 1904 (3-3 against France
).
The teams with the highest average attendances during the 2009-2010 season were:
1 Standard de Liège - 24.406 - max. 30.000
2 Club Brugge KV - 24.368 - max. 28.151
3 RSC Anderlecht - 23.054 - max. 24.000
4 KRC Genk - 19.604 - max. 21.468
Traditionally, Anderlecht
, Club Brugge
and Standard de Liege are the three big teams, all of them playing and/or winning 1 or more European Cup Final(s).
which forced the liberalization of the football player market in Europe. In response, Belgian clubs began to buy unknown players from Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. This had two contradictory consequences. On the one hand, the national team was weakened by the reduced opportunity for native Belgium players to gain a spot on domestic teams. On the other hand, the Jupiler League reinforced its status as an entry league for players who then move on to some of the greatest European clubs.
Indeed, some of the most talented players in Europe have played in Belgian clubs: Jean-Pierre Papin
, Daniel Amokachi
, Antolín Alcaraz
and David Rozehnal
were discovered at Club Brugge
; Sunday Oliseh and Victor Ikpeba
at RFC Liégeois
; Jan Koller
, Nii Lamptey
and Aruna Dindane at R.S.C. Anderlecht
; and Mido at K.A.A. Gent.
Others to have started or launched their careers in Belgium include Emmanuel Eboue
, Koffi Ndri Romaric
, Gervinho
, Didier Zokora
, Arthur Boka
, Ivica Dragutinovic
, Mario Stanic
, Morten Olsen
, Dorinel Munteanu
, André Cruz, Seol Ki-Hyeon
, Kennet Andersson
, Klas Ingesson
, Aaron Mokoena
, Michaël Ciani
, Nicolas Pareja
, Oguchi Onyewu
, Rabiu Afolabi
, Cheick Tioté, Peter Odemwingie
, Joseph Yobo
, Ouwo Moussa Maazou
, Milan Jovanović
, Ognjen Vukojević
and Rob Rensenbrink.
Because of the physical nature of Belgian football, it has tended to primarily produce talented defensive players. These include Jean-Marie Pfaff
, Eric Gerets, Leo Clijsters, Michel Preud'homme
, Georges Grün
, Philippe Albert
, Franky Van Der Elst, Vincent Kompany
and Thomas Vermaelen. In comparison, only few attacking Belgian footballers have received international recognition: Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans
, Marc Degryse
, Luc Nilis, Emile Mpenza
, Romelu Lukaku
, Eden Hazard
etc.
was struggling with financial difficulties in the third division
in the late 1990s, they merged with then first division neighbour club KFC Germinal Ekeren to survive. The new club named KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen started in the first division with the matricule number of KFC Germinal Ekeren, losing the honours of K Beerschot VAC, but keeping their installations and their purple shirt. Another famous example is that of 5 times champion Daring Club de Bruxelles
merger with RR White into R White Daring Molenbeek
in 1973.
The first few matricule numbers are:
For a more complete list, see List of football clubs in Belgium.
or Sporting West Ingelmunster-Harelbeke
) which reflect mergers. In recent history clubs representing immigrant communities have come into existence and sometimes use names that are in neither of Belgium's official languages (the now defunct clubs Türkgucun Ozburun and Türkiyemspor Zaventem, or the still existing Agrupacion Oviedo-Asturiana from Brussels being examples).
Finally, a team which exists for at least 50 years may add the prefix Royal to its name (either in English
or in the team's language). Before 1958, this right was given to any team that celebrated its 25th year of existence. Between 1958 and 1968, the rule was changed to grant the title to any team with at least 35 years of existence. Since 1968, the time limit has increased to 50 years.
The following is a partial list of common prefixes and suffixes in Belgium's two main languages.
and Y.R. K.V. Mechelen have won a European competition. Here is a list of the winners and runners-up by competition:
, the competition is organized by province, with the notable exception of the Brabant that comprises clubs from the provinces of Flemish Brabant
, Walloon Brabant
and the Brussels Capital Region.
and Club Brugge, KV Kortrijk
and Zulte-Waregem) and two clubs play in the second division (Oostende
and K.S.V. Roeselare
).
Bruges
is the only city in Belgium with two teams in the first division.
Four clubs from this province play at the highest level (Germinal Beerschot, Mechelen, Lierse
and Westerlo
).
and Sint-Truidense).
).
The first Belgian championship ever was played between 7 teams, 4 of which were based in Brussels: Racing Club, Léopold Club, Sporting Club
and Union d'Ixelles. Léopold Club was a club for the nobility and bourgeoisie in Brussels and is still alive following a string of 4 merges between 1982 and 2001 (but it plays in the Promotion B
). The latter two clubs collapsed respectively in 1897 and 1901. That year a new club from Brussels arrived in the first division (namely R. Union Saint-Gilloise
) and will become a leading team in Belgian football in the following seasons. It enjoyed first a rivalry with Racing Club and then with Daring Club (that won its first championship) in 1912. Later, they played alongside Anderlecht in the first division.
After World War I
, Belgian football was dominated by teams from the Antwerp province and from Brugge. In the early 1930s, Union and Daring shared 5 titles. The rivalry between the two clubs has inspired a play named Bossemans et Coppenolle (Bossemans was the name of the Union coach and Coppenolle was the name of the Daring coach). During World War II
, Anderlecht replaced Union and Daring as the leading team in Brussels. Its rivals in Brussels were successively Union, Daring, Racing White and its successors RWDM
and FC Brussels.
. In 2011, only one club from the province of Liège will be playing in the first division (Standard Liège
). K.A.S.Eupen was the first and so far only club ever from the German speaking area of Belgium to reach the top division. Their official name is: Königliche Allgemeine Sportvereinigung Eupen.
Football in the province of Liège was first led by FC Liégeois
(5 titles from 1895 to 1953) and then by Standard Liège (9 titles from 1958 to 2008). CS Verviers played some seasons in the first division, as well as FC Sérésien
(that later merged with Standard) and FC Tilleur (that later associated, and not merged, with FC Liégeois
).
. Philippe Albert
was born in this province (in the municipality of Bouillon
). No club from this province has ever played in the first division.
In addition, Mini Football is popular in Belgium (this has different rules all together than Futsal) and this league is run by a separate FA dealing with mini football only.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, a sport which has been played in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
since the end of the 19th century, is that country's most popular sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
. The national association
Belgian Football Association
The Royal Belgian Football Association is the governing body of football in Belgium...
was founded in 1895 with the intention of bringing some order and organization to the sport. The first match of the national team was played on May 1, 1904 (3-3 against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
).
The teams with the highest average attendances during the 2009-2010 season were:
1 Standard de Liège - 24.406 - max. 30.000
2 Club Brugge KV - 24.368 - max. 28.151
3 RSC Anderlecht - 23.054 - max. 24.000
4 KRC Genk - 19.604 - max. 21.468
Traditionally, Anderlecht
Anderlecht
Anderlecht is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region.There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within the Anderlecht municipality.-Pronunciation:* Dutch: * French:...
, Club Brugge
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
and Standard de Liege are the three big teams, all of them playing and/or winning 1 or more European Cup Final(s).
National style
Both the national football team and the top Belgium division have a reputation for physical play. This came as a result of a lack of technically skilled foreign players allowed to play in Belgium due to legal restrictions. This changed after the Bosman rulingBosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
which forced the liberalization of the football player market in Europe. In response, Belgian clubs began to buy unknown players from Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. This had two contradictory consequences. On the one hand, the national team was weakened by the reduced opportunity for native Belgium players to gain a spot on domestic teams. On the other hand, the Jupiler League reinforced its status as an entry league for players who then move on to some of the greatest European clubs.
Indeed, some of the most talented players in Europe have played in Belgian clubs: Jean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin is a former French professional football player who was European Footballer of the Year in 1991.Papin achieved his greatest success while playing for Olympique Marseille between 1986 and 1992...
, Daniel Amokachi
Daniel Amokachi
Daniel Owefin Amokachi nicknamed "The Bull" is a former football striker from Nigeria.- Career :While playing for Ranchers Bees, Amokachi was discovered by Nigerian national team coach Clemens Westerhof, who brought the talented player to the 1990 African Nations Cup, and soon Amokachi moved to...
, Antolín Alcaraz
Antolin Alcaraz
Antolín Alcaraz Viveros is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League, as a central defender.-Club career:...
and David Rozehnal
David Rozehnal
David Sebastian Klement Rozehnal is a Czech international football player who plays for French club Lille.-Career:...
were discovered at Club Brugge
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
; Sunday Oliseh and Victor Ikpeba
Victor Ikpeba
Victor Nosa Ikpeba is a former football forward from Nigeria. He has played thirty international matches and scored three goals for Nigeria, and played at the FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998...
at RFC Liégeois
R.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
; Jan Koller
Jan Koller
Jan Koller is Czech footballer currently playing in AFK Smetanova Lhota.As an international player he played as a striker for the Czech Republic national team. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for either the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovakia, with 55 goals in 91 caps...
, Nii Lamptey
Nii Lamptey
Nii Odartey Lamptey is a former Ghanaian footballer. He is known foremost for his erratic career, in which he became a superstar as a teenager and then suffered a long string of failures which burnt him out well before his time...
and Aruna Dindane at R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
; and Mido at K.A.A. Gent.
Others to have started or launched their careers in Belgium include Emmanuel Eboue
Emmanuel Eboué
Emmanuel Eboué is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and Ivory Coast. His natural position is at right back, but he is also used in various other positions. Eboué also holds a Belgian passport.-Early career:...
, Koffi Ndri Romaric
Koffi Ndri Romaric
Christian Koffi Ndri , commonly known as Romaric, is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a midfielder for RCD Espanyol, on loan from Sevilla FC, and the Côte d'Ivoire national team...
, Gervinho
Gervinho
Gervais Yao Kouassi , more commonly known as Gervinho, is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a forwardor as a winger for English Premier League club Arsenal.-Youth career:...
, Didier Zokora
Didier Zokora
Déguy Alain Didier Zokora is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor and the Ivorian national team. Zokora plays in a defensive role and is a strong tactical player in the middle of the park.-Early career:Zokora started his career in Côte d'Ivoire at the famed youth academy of...
, Arthur Boka
Arthur Boka
Etienne Arthur Boka is an Ivorian football defender who plays for VfB Stuttgart.-Career:Like many successful players from Côte d'Ivoire, he started his career at homeland club ASEC Abidjan, after coming through their much famed youth system, that has also produced players such as Kolo Touré,...
, Ivica Dragutinovic
Ivica Dragutinovic
Ivica Dragutinović , sometimes just Drago, is a Serbian footballer.Mainly a central defender, he can also operate as a defensive left back...
, Mario Stanic
Mario Stanic
Mario Stanić is a former Croatian football midfielder.-Career:He started his career with Željezničar Sarajevo. He was considered to be one of the most talented young players in former Yugoslavia. In 1992, war began and he went to Croatia, where he played for Dinamo Zagreb...
, Morten Olsen
Morten Olsen
Morten Per Olsen is a Danish football manager and former football player. He has been the head coach of the Danish national team since 2000, guiding Denmark to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup...
, Dorinel Munteanu
Dorinel Munteanu
Dorinel Ionel Munteanu is a Romanian former football midfielder, and current manager of Oţelul Galaţi.-Club career:Munteanu started to play football for Metalul Bocşa, a team which offered him the first chance to play in Divizia B in 1986...
, André Cruz, Seol Ki-Hyeon
Seol Ki-Hyeon
Seol Ki-Hyeon or Seol Ki-Hyun |Gangwon]]) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays for Ulsan Hyundai as a winger or striker. He is also the first South Korean footballer to score in the history of the UEFA Champions League, during his time at RSC Anderlecht.-Early career:At the end of...
, Kennet Andersson
Kennet Andersson
Bernt Kennet Andersson is a Swedish former football player and a key member of the Swedish national team that finished third in the 1994 World Cup....
, Klas Ingesson
Klas Ingesson
Klas Ingesson is a former Swedish footballer. As a member of the national team he played in 57 games, including 1990 FIFA World Cup and 1994 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 1992 European Championship....
, Aaron Mokoena
Aaron Mokoena
Teboho Aaron Mokoena is a South African footballer who plays for and captains Football League Championship club Portsmouth and the South African national team.-Early career:...
, Michaël Ciani
Michaël Ciani
Michaël Ciani , often referred to as Mickaël Ciani, is a French footballer of Guadeloupean descent who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Bordeaux. Ciani plays as a central defender and has starred for several French clubs before finally settling in with Lorient in 2006, where he became nationally...
, Nicolas Pareja
Nicolás Pareja
Nicolás Martín Pareja is an Argentine football defender and an Olympic gold medalist who plays for FC Spartak Moscow. Previously he played for Argentinos Juniors, RSC Anderlecht and RCD Espanyol....
, Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchialu Chijoke Onyewu also known as "Oguchi" Onyewu is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Sporting Clube de Portugal, in Primeira Liga, and the United States national team. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport....
, Rabiu Afolabi
Rabiu Afolabi
Rabiu Afolabi is a Nigerian soccer player, who plays for Ligue 2 side, Monaco.-Career:Afolabi left his home country for Belgian outfit Standard Liège after impressing at the 1997 edition of the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup...
, Cheick Tioté, Peter Odemwingie
Peter Odemwingie
Peter Osaze Odemwingie is a footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. His name, Osaze, means "God chooses "....
, Joseph Yobo
Joseph Yobo
Joseph Yobo is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a centre back for Fenerbahçe, on loan from Everton. He is also an international for the Nigerian national team, for which he has 81 caps and currently captains....
, Ouwo Moussa Maazou
Ouwo Moussa Maazou
Ouwo Moussa Maazou is a Nigerien professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Belgian Pro League side S.V. Zulte Waregem on loan from CSKA Moscow.-Career:...
, Milan Jovanović
Milan Jovanovic
Milan Jovanović was one of the most influential Serbian photographers of his generation. He is best "known for continuing the traditional path established by Anastas Jovanović , the first professional photographer in Serbia." Milan was a Court photographer, son of Stevan Jovanović, the brother of...
, Ognjen Vukojević
Ognjen Vukojevic
Ognjen Vukojević is a Croatian international footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Dynamo Kyiv.-Early career:...
and Rob Rensenbrink.
Because of the physical nature of Belgian football, it has tended to primarily produce talented defensive players. These include Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jean-Marie Pfaff is a Belgian former football goalkeeper.-Biography:At the age of 16, Pfaff joined K.S.K. Beveren with whom he won a Belgian champions title and a Belgian Cup . The same year, he received the Belgian Golden Shoe...
, Eric Gerets, Leo Clijsters, Michel Preud'homme
Michel Preud'homme
Michel Georges Jean Ghislain Preud’Homme'tönten mannen, , commonly known as Michel Preud'homme, is a Belgian football coach and retired goalkeeper. He is currently head coach of Al-Shabab Riyadh, a role he took after guiding outgoing Dutch Eredivisie champions FC Twente in the 2010–11 season...
, Georges Grün
Georges Grün
Georges Serge Grün is a former Belgian football defender and is now a TV presenter for the UEFA Champions League matches at RTL TVI....
, Philippe Albert
Philippe Albert
Philippe Julien Albert is a former Belgian football defender. He played with R. Charleroi S.C., KV Mechelen, R.S.C. Anderlecht and Newcastle United in England...
, Franky Van Der Elst, Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany
Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany is a Belgian footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at both centre back and defensive midfielder. Kompany is of partial Congolese ancestry...
and Thomas Vermaelen. In comparison, only few attacking Belgian footballers have received international recognition: Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans
Jan Ceulemans
Jan Anna Gumaar Ceulemans is a Belgian former football player who played as a midfielder.He is his country's most capped player with 96 international appearances. Most of his time with Belgium took place under the guidance of Guy Thys...
, Marc Degryse
Marc Degryse
Marc Gabriel Degryse , nicknamed Le Lutin d'Ardooie and The Little One, is a former Belgian footballer, who played as a forward.-Club career:...
, Luc Nilis, Emile Mpenza
Émile Mpenza
Eka Basunga Lokonda "Émile" Mpenza is a Belgian footballer who plays for Neftchi Baku as a striker. He has been capped at international level by Belgium. His older brother, Mbo, was also a footballer who represented Belgium....
, Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Benjamin Lukaku is a Belgian footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Chelsea and the Belgium national team....
, Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is a Belgian footballer who currently plays for French club Lille in Ligue 1 and the Belgium national team. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger. Hazard is known for his creativity, speed, and technical ability and is described as a "fearless, explosive attacking...
etc.
Matricule numbers
With football's rapid growth in popularity in the late 19th century, several football clubs came into existence in Belgium. The first to register with the national association was R. Antwerp F.C.. They were subsequently assigned the matricule number 1 when the Royal Belgian Football Association gave a matricule number to each registered club in November 1926, by order of registration. Many matricule numbers no longer exist due to clubs ceasing to exist or merging with another club. When two (or more) clubs merge, they must choose which matricule number to keep. The new club begins the championship at the level where the former club with the same matricule number should have begun the season. Typically they choose the one with the most honours. However, it has often occurred that a club with multiple championship titles have to merge with another less successful club in order to survive. In this case, the club with financial problems has to take the matricule number of the other club, and the honours are lost with the merger. For instance, when the 7 times champion Antwerp-based club K Beerschot VACK. Beerschot V.A.C.
Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbal en Atletiek Club is a former Belgian football club from Antwerp. The club was founded in 1899 when most players of R. Antwerp F.C. left the club. It played in the 1920 Olympic Games Stadium named the "Kiel". After many financial problems over the years, the club was...
was struggling with financial difficulties in the third division
Belgian Third Division
The Belgian Third Division is the third highest level in Belgian football. It has two leagues of 18 teams each at the same level. This competition, known as the Belgian Promotion was first played in the 1926-27 season with three leagues, then with four leagues between 1931 and 1952. From 1952...
in the late 1990s, they merged with then first division neighbour club KFC Germinal Ekeren to survive. The new club named KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen started in the first division with the matricule number of KFC Germinal Ekeren, losing the honours of K Beerschot VAC, but keeping their installations and their purple shirt. Another famous example is that of 5 times champion Daring Club de Bruxelles
R. Daring Club Molenbeek
Royal Daring Club Molenbeek was a football team from the city of Brussels, Belgium until 1973. It was created in 1895 as Daring Club de Bruxelles and was the second club to register to the Belgian Football Association , but it was admitted to the league only in 1903.-History:Until 1899, the team...
merger with RR White into R White Daring Molenbeek
R.W.D. Molenbeek
Racing White Daring Molenbeek was a Belgian football club founded in 1909 as White Star Club de Bruxelles. It then became a member of the Belgian Football Association later the same year as White Star Athletic Club and received the matricule n°47....
in 1973.
The first few matricule numbers are:
- R. Antwerp F.C..
- Daring Club de Bruxelles (no longer active)
- Club BruggeClub BruggeClub Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
- R.F.C. Liégeois
- R. Léopold Uccle ForestoiseR. Léopold Uccle ForestoiseRoyal Léopold Uccle Forestoise is a Belgian football club from the city of Brussels. It was founded in 1893 as Léopold Football Club and encountered many name changes in its history, the last of them following a string of merges to keep the matricule n°5 alive. It now plays in the Promotion B ,...
- Racing Club de Bruxelles
- K.A.A. Gent
- R.C.S. VerviétoisR.C.S. VerviétoisRoyal Cercle Sportif Verviétois – Football Club Sérésien is a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Verviers, Liège. It is currently playing in the third division B...
- R. Dolhain F.C.R. Dolhain F.C.-History:Royal Dolhain F.C., usually known as Dolhain or RDFC, is an amateur Belgian association football club from Limbourg in Belgium, that currently competes in the 7th League of the Belgium League System,was founded in 1898 with René Jonckers as the first president, the club is considered one...
- R. Union Saint-GilloiseR. Union Saint-GilloiseR. Union Saint-Gilloise is a Belgian football club located in the municipality of Forest, though it is named after the neighbour municipality of Saint-Gilles, Brussels. It had been in the second division in 2004-05, but was subsequently relegated to third division. Its matricule is the n°10...
For a more complete list, see List of football clubs in Belgium.
Naming
A Belgian club's name usually includes the name of the town where the club plays as well as a prefix and/or suffix. Since Belgians speak three languages, French and Dutch being the main ones and German being the third official language, Belgian teams may use either language as the basis for their names. For historical reasons, many Flemish clubs changed their names from French to Dutch between the beginning of the 20th century and the late 1960s. Additionally, many clubs have experienced frequent name changes. Reasons for these include a language change, a merger, an anniversary, etc. Because of the numerous mergers between Belgian clubs, team names sometimes combine several town names (such as K. Beringen-Heusden-ZolderK. Beringen-Heusden-Zolder
K. Beringen-Heusden-Zolder is a former Belgian football club, from the municipalities of Heusden-Zolder and Beringen in Limburg. Its stadium has been located in the municipality of Beringen-Mijn from 2004 to 2006 .-History:It was founded in 1936 as S.K. Heusden and it eventually changed its name...
or Sporting West Ingelmunster-Harelbeke
Sporting West Ingelmunster-Harelbeke
Sporting West Harelbeke is a Belgian association football club based in Harelbeke, West Flanders. It is the result of the merger between K.R.C. Harelbeke and K.S.V. Ingelmunster in 2002. They currently play in the West Flanders Division One in the Belgian Provincial leagues...
) which reflect mergers. In recent history clubs representing immigrant communities have come into existence and sometimes use names that are in neither of Belgium's official languages (the now defunct clubs Türkgucun Ozburun and Türkiyemspor Zaventem, or the still existing Agrupacion Oviedo-Asturiana from Brussels being examples).
Finally, a team which exists for at least 50 years may add the prefix Royal to its name (either in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
or in the team's language). Before 1958, this right was given to any team that celebrated its 25th year of existence. Between 1958 and 1968, the rule was changed to grant the title to any team with at least 35 years of existence. Since 1968, the time limit has increased to 50 years.
The following is a partial list of common prefixes and suffixes in Belgium's two main languages.
| Name | French | Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| Royal | Royale (R.) | Koninklijke (K.) |
| Athletic Association | Association Athlétique (A.A.) | Atletieke Associatie (A.A.) |
| Sport Association | Association Sportive (A.S.) | Sportvereniging (S.V.) |
| Sport Circle | Cercle Sportif (C.S.) | Sportkring (S.K.) |
| Excelsior | Excelsior (E.) | Excelsior (E.) |
| Football Club | Football Club (F.C.) | Voetbalklub (V.K.) or Voetbalclub (V.C.) |
| Sport Club | Sporting Club (S.C.) | Sporting Club or Sport Club (S.C.) |
| Racing Club | Racing Club (R.C.) | Racing Club (R.C.) |
| Football Association | Association Football (A.F.) | Voetbal Vereniging (V.V.) |
| Royal Society | Société Royale (S.R.) | Koninklijke Maatschappij (K.M.) |
| Athletic Club | Athletic Club (A.C.) | Atletiek Club (A.C.) |
European results
R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
and Y.R. K.V. Mechelen have won a European competition. Here is a list of the winners and runners-up by competition:
- UEFA Champions' League:
- Final:
- Club BruggeClub BruggeClub Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
(1978)
- Club Brugge
- Final:
- Cup Winners' Cup:
- Wins:
- R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1976 and 1978) - K.V. Mechelen (1988)
- R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Finals:
- R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1977 and 1990) - Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
(1982) - R. Antwerp F.C. (1993)
- R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Wins:
- UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
:- Wins:
- R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1983)
- R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Finals:
- Club BruggeClub BruggeClub Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
(1976) - R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1984)
- Club Brugge
- Wins:
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup:
- Final:
- R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1970)
- R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Final:
- European Supercup:
- Wins:
- R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(1976 and 1978) - K.V. Mechelen (1988)
- R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Wins:
Football in Belgium by province
Under the first four levels in the league systemBelgian football league system
The Belgian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Belgium.-The system:Below shows how the current system works. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name and number of clubs is given...
, the competition is organized by province, with the notable exception of the Brabant that comprises clubs from the provinces of Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven...
, Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant is a province of Wallonia in Belgium. It borders on the province of Flemish Brabant and the provinces of Liège, Namur and Hainaut . Its capital is Wavre...
and the Brussels Capital Region.
West Flanders
Four clubs from West Flanders play in the first division (CercleCercle Brugge K.S.V.
Cercle Brugge Koninklijke Sportvereniging is a Belgian football team from Bruges. Cercle have played in the Belgian Pro League since the 2003-04 season, having previously spent several years in the Belgian Second Division following relegation in 1997. Their matricule is the n°12. The club play...
and Club Brugge, KV Kortrijk
K.V. Kortrijk
Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk is a Belgian professional football club based in Kortrijk, West Flanders. They have been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2008-09 season, and they achieved they best ranking ever during the 2009-10 season, finishing 4th after the play-offs...
and Zulte-Waregem) and two clubs play in the second division (Oostende
K.V. Oostende
K.V. Oostende is a Belgian association football club, from the municipality of Ostend, West Flanders. It was created in 1904 as V.G. Oostende and it has the matricule n°31.- History :...
and K.S.V. Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare
K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10...
).
Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
is the only city in Belgium with two teams in the first division.
East Flanders
Two clubs from East Flanders play in the first division (Gent and Lokeren).Antwerp
The province of Antwerp has an old tradition of football. The first Belgian clubs were created in the city of Antwerp (Antwerp Lyon's Club, A.S. Anvers-Borgerhout, Antwerp F.C.).Four clubs from this province play at the highest level (Germinal Beerschot, Mechelen, Lierse
Lierse S.K.
Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups...
and Westerlo
K.V.C. Westerlo
Koninklijke Voetbal Club Westerlo is a Belgian professional football club located in the city of Westerlo in the province of Antwerp. Westerlo has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since 1997–98. Their highest finish is a 6th place in 1999–2000, 2003–04 and 2008–09. They have won 1 Belgian...
).
Limburg
Two clubs from Limburg play in the Jupiler League (GenkK.R.C. Genk
Koninklijke Racing Club Genk , usually referred to as Racing Genk or simply Genk, is a Belgian professional football club based in the city of Genk in Belgian Limburg. Racing Genk plays in the Belgian Pro League and they have won 3 Belgian champion titles in 1998–99, in 2001–02 and in 2010–11 as...
and Sint-Truidense).
Brabant
Only one club from Brabant plays in the first division (AnderlechtR.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
).
The first Belgian championship ever was played between 7 teams, 4 of which were based in Brussels: Racing Club, Léopold Club, Sporting Club
Sporting Club de Bruxelles
Sporting Club de Bruxelles was an ephemeric football club in Belgium that existed only for three years. It was founded in 1894 as Ixelles Sporting Club but it changed name before the first Belgian championship ever held in 1895-96. The club finished 3rd behind F.C. Liégeois and Antwerp FC...
and Union d'Ixelles. Léopold Club was a club for the nobility and bourgeoisie in Brussels and is still alive following a string of 4 merges between 1982 and 2001 (but it plays in the Promotion B
Belgian Promotion
The Belgian Promotion is the lowest nationwide division in Belgian football. Since 1905, Promotion has been the name of the lowest nationwide level but it is the fourth one since 1952. There were already 4 leagues at the time . The champion of the Promotion is declared to be the winner of a...
). The latter two clubs collapsed respectively in 1897 and 1901. That year a new club from Brussels arrived in the first division (namely R. Union Saint-Gilloise
R. Union Saint-Gilloise
R. Union Saint-Gilloise is a Belgian football club located in the municipality of Forest, though it is named after the neighbour municipality of Saint-Gilles, Brussels. It had been in the second division in 2004-05, but was subsequently relegated to third division. Its matricule is the n°10...
) and will become a leading team in Belgian football in the following seasons. It enjoyed first a rivalry with Racing Club and then with Daring Club (that won its first championship) in 1912. Later, they played alongside Anderlecht in the first division.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Belgian football was dominated by teams from the Antwerp province and from Brugge. In the early 1930s, Union and Daring shared 5 titles. The rivalry between the two clubs has inspired a play named Bossemans et Coppenolle (Bossemans was the name of the Union coach and Coppenolle was the name of the Daring coach). During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Anderlecht replaced Union and Daring as the leading team in Brussels. Its rivals in Brussels were successively Union, Daring, Racing White and its successors RWDM
R.W.D. Molenbeek
Racing White Daring Molenbeek was a Belgian football club founded in 1909 as White Star Club de Bruxelles. It then became a member of the Belgian Football Association later the same year as White Star Athletic Club and received the matricule n°47....
and FC Brussels.
Hainaut
Hainaut only has one team that will be playing in 2011 in the Belgian Pro League: R.A.E.C Mons. There will be a few teams from Hainaut playing in the Belgian 2nd Division (Exqi League) in 2011 though.Namur
The province of Namur is, with that of Luxembourg, the province with the least prestigious football history in Belgium. No club from this province is playing in one of the first two levels in Belgian football. No club from the province of Namur has ever played in the first division.Liège
The first Belgian championship ever was won by FC LiégeoisR.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
. In 2011, only one club from the province of Liège will be playing in the first division (Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
). K.A.S.Eupen was the first and so far only club ever from the German speaking area of Belgium to reach the top division. Their official name is: Königliche Allgemeine Sportvereinigung Eupen.
Football in the province of Liège was first led by FC Liégeois
R.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
(5 titles from 1895 to 1953) and then by Standard Liège (9 titles from 1958 to 2008). CS Verviers played some seasons in the first division, as well as FC Sérésien
R.F.C. Seraing
R.F.C. Seraing is a Belgian football club from the municipality of Seraing, province of Liège.-History:It was created in 1900 as F.C. Sérésien and it registered to the FA the same year as the matricule n°17. The prefix Royal was added in 1928. The named changed in 1994 to R.F.C...
(that later merged with Standard) and FC Tilleur (that later associated, and not merged, with FC Liégeois
R.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
).
Luxembourg
Only one club from the province of Luxembourg used to play in the second division: VirtonR.E. Virton
R.E. Virton is a Belgian football club, from the city of Virton in the Luxembourg province of Belgium.-Famous past players: Thomas Meunier Michaël Wiggers Karim Belhocine Cédric Bockhorni Daniel Gomez Moussa Koita Stéphane Martine Jonathan Téhoué Aurélien Joachim-References:...
. Philippe Albert
Philippe Albert
Philippe Julien Albert is a former Belgian football defender. He played with R. Charleroi S.C., KV Mechelen, R.S.C. Anderlecht and Newcastle United in England...
was born in this province (in the municipality of Bouillon
Bouillon
Bouillon is a municipality in Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Luxembourg Province.The municipality, which covers 149.09 km², had 5,477 inhabitants, giving a population density of 36.7 inhabitants per km².- History :...
). No club from this province has ever played in the first division.
UEFA Champions League
The following teams have qualified for group stage in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- Club Brugge K.V. (4 times: 1992-93, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06)
- AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
(8 times: 1993-94, 1994-95, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07) - Lierse S.K.Lierse S.K.Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups...
(1997–98) - GenkK.R.C. GenkKoninklijke Racing Club Genk , usually referred to as Racing Genk or simply Genk, is a Belgian professional football club based in the city of Genk in Belgian Limburg. Racing Genk plays in the Belgian Pro League and they have won 3 Belgian champion titles in 1998–99, in 2001–02 and in 2010–11 as...
(2002-03) - Standard LiègeStandard LiègeRoyal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
(2009-10)
Football outside of the Belgian FA
Other than the UEFA-affiliated FA, several amateur football leagues exist in Belgium, most at regional levels. These are often called "pub teams' leagues" while this is not entirely correct: far from all clubs represent a pub, often there are teams enroled who represent a town or district of a village, a company, or another institution. Many amateur leagues exist in Belgium, most of them are region-bound or province-bound. Examples of amateur leagues with a long tradition include the KVV (Koninklijke Vlaamse Voetbalbond) organising provincial leagues in all Flemish provinces but West-Vlaanderen, the MTSA for the area Dendermonde-Aalst-Denderstreek, the LVVB Melle for the area Wetteren-Ghent (with some clubs outside of this area), the LVV Meetjesland for the Meetjesland area and few clubs from Ghent, the Corporative Leagues in several provinces mainly intended for company teams (although sometimes also including general amateur teams), the WALIVO in the Waasland area, the ABSSA and Travailliste leagues in Brussels and surrounding areas, ... The system is complex as some of these regional leagues are affiliated to the Belgian FA (sometimes their member clubs receive a matricule number) but the leagues are totally separate from the league system in the leagues directly run by the Belgian FA (described above). Some other amateur leagues operate totally separate from the Belgian FA with no connection to the Belgian FA in any ways. Amateur leagues are in decline in some areas due to the competition from the general Belgian FA-run leagues and due to long travel distances being unpractical at amateur level. Several clubs who started in amateur leagues have made the transfer to the leagues run directly by the Belgian FA (starting at the lowest level). Some of these clubs even managed to, after a while, reach a relatively high level of the Belgian pyramid. Many amateur leagues in the past were tied to a political ideology, and Catholic, Socialist and Liberal amateur leagues existed. Nowadays most amateur leagues are based upon geographic area rather than on political ideologies.Indoor football
In Belgium, the Belgian FA also runs a nationwide Futsal league. Clubs are given a matricule number as well, although a separate one than the matricule numbers assigned to the clubs in outdoor football. Usually the letter A is in front of the matricule number to indicate an indoor club. A separate indoor football league is organised by the BZVB (Belgische Zaalvoetbal Bond, translated as Belgian Indoor Football Association), this is not tied to the Belgian FA. Both of these leagues run at the same moment but without any interaction with each other.In addition, Mini Football is popular in Belgium (this has different rules all together than Futsal) and this league is run by a separate FA dealing with mini football only.