The Omicron variant hit the Pro League this weekend. Thus Zulte – Ostend was postponed while Mechelen withdrew against OHL. Why this different preferential treatment? The Malinwa actually had a goalkeeper problem. Gaetan Coucke, the holder, and Maxime Wenssens, his replacement, were indeed infected with the coronavirus. The leaders therefore thought that this would be enough to postpone the meeting.
Problem: Maxime Wenssens was registered on the list of team A and that of team B (which plays in the U-21 championship). This prompted the Pro League to refuse the postponement of the meeting because of its regulations. No exceptions were made by the governing body of our Belgian football.
A funny situation that prompted the Pro League to review its corona reporting rules, according to Het Nieuwsblad. The board of directors met and a proposal was drawn up and then approved at a general meeting in the afternoon. The new rule is as follows: it does not matter whether a goalkeeper is in the list of team A or B as long as one of the two infected goalkeepers is the one with the most minutes or the one who was in goal in the last game.
This goes for gamers as well. In other words, no more distinction will be made between team A or B. Clubs will therefore have an easier time finding seven elements that are infected with covid. Number required to request the postponement of a meeting. Although outfield players must have played at least 30% playing time to be “eligible”.
Other rules will apply
After having already left three points on the green carpet, Mechelen is therefore still waiting. When will this new protocol be officially in place? According to our colleagues, Mechelen will be able to postpone its meeting this Wednesday against Genk. The rules still have to be accepted by the Supreme Council of the Belgian Football Federation, which is a formality. A priori, the acceptance of the new covid protocol should take place this Tuesday.
During this board of directors, other rules will emerge. And not least: from the 33rd day, no more postponement will be tolerated by the Pro League. Whether for the Croky Cup or the POs, a club that has its entire workforce decimated by Corona will therefore have to play out the door or the window.
An extraordinary general meeting of the Pro League, with all the professional clubs, will decide this Tuesday afternoon on the various proposals. 2/3 must accept the new rules to accept the various changes.
An official decision should fall this afternoon or tomorrow.