The principal concerned is not surprised by the dismissal in correctional of former Sporting Anderlecht decision-makers targeted for suspicion of rigged sale of the Brussels club in 2017. Angry with Van Holsbeeck, Henrotay and others, Coucke says he is having a hard time with these latest revelations. “When you take over a club of such importance, for so much money, you want everything to run smoothly. But it is not the case and it is a blow.”
The eleven people and three companies who were involved in the sale of the club in 2017 are being prosecuted for fraud, forgery, money laundering, private corruption, breach of professional secrecy and breach of trust.
If the investigation is still continuing, Marc Coucke already assures that “the damage suffered must be compensated.” And to affirm to have “quickly sensed that things were wrong, that there were unsavory practices”, shortly after taking office. “In the meantime, five years have passed. I stay combative and let my lawyers do their job”, he clarified.
The businessman, on the other hand, does not want to hide behind this affair to justify the discomfort among the Mauves, who are painfully in 11th place in the championship. “This has nothing to do with. […] This club and the fans deserve better.”
The defendants face sentences of up to five years in prison, fines and work. This also applies to former chairman Roger Vanden Stock. “Its undeniable and indisputable influence for decades on the structure of the RSCA, its majority position within the shareholding and the various observations made in relation to the various mandates given by the club’s board of directors to carry out the sale justify the referral to correctional, notwithstanding his advanced age and his lack of criminal record”can we read in the indictment of the federal magistrate.
At his side, we find the former sports director Herman Van Holsbeeck, the CEO Jo Van Biesbroeck, the financial director Rene Trullemans, the administrator and lawyer Luc Deleu as well as a lawyer. The same is true for the business firm Clifford Chance and two of its lawyers, who carried out the sale in 2017. Players’ agent Christophe Henrotay, two of his collaborators and his company Foot Innovation are also subject to a request for referral to court.
It will be up to the Council Chamber to decide, during the month of February, on the follow-up to be given to this affair.