Belgian football was "thrown into turmoil after state prosecutors unleashed a wave of raids" across seven European countries "because of concerns of corruption in the country’s top league," according to Jim Brunsden of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The Belgian state prosecutor’s office said that the coordinated raids on Wednesday, which stretched from Belgium to Serbia and involved over 200 police officers, "were connected to evidence of backhanders paid to football agents and concerns over potential match-fixing." The probe centers on "commission payments to agents handling players" in the Jupiler Pro League. The raids took place at the grounds of several of the league’s member clubs "as well as at the homes and premises" of agents, lawyers, a coach, journalists and "potential accomplices," the state prosecutor’s office said, adding that "a large number of people" had been taken in for questioning. The fraud probe, which began in '17, concerns evidence that football agents hid "suspect financial transactions," concealing fees linked to "player transfers, player salaries" and the salaries of coaches. The announcement "sent a shockwave through Belgian football, revealing potential corruption problems on a previously unimaginable scale" (FT, 10/10). REUTERS' Philip Blenkinsop reported prosecutors "did not name any clubs or people." Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF said that searches "had taken place at leading teams" including Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Standard Liege. Prosecutors said that the searches were related to an investigation launched at the end of '17. The searches come after Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals in Russia. Most members of the national team squad "now play abroad but previously played" in Belgium's top flight, which is a "major feeder of players" for top European clubs (REUTERS, 10/10). The PA reported Club Brugge Chair Bart Verhaeghe said, "Club Brugge will give full cooperation to the investigation and has nothing to hide." Anderlecht also confirmed it was raided in a statement. Lokeren said that it is cooperating with the investigation after officers spent three-and-a-half hours with the club, "but nobody was needed for questioning" (PA, 10/10).
