End of PO in sight? League with 18?

OTHER There is a real chance that the Belgian first division will soon move to a “normal” championship with 18 clubs, without playoffs. An important vote on this will take place Thursday, and it is expected that the necessary two-thirds majority will be achieved. After several working sessions, a broad consensus seems to have emerged in favor of the new format with 18 clubs.


This would represent a significant change for the league. If the proposal is approved, the change will take effect as early as next season. This means that no club will have to play the challenging play-downs this season; only the penultimate club will still have to compete in the barrage against the third from the Challenger Pro League.

Next season there will then be fewer playing days which can compensate for the overcrowded European calendar; a demand from the top clubs. The playoffs had long been controversial, mainly because of the points who are divided in two.

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