Clubs denied licence, relegated for financial irregularities

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First division clubs La Louviere and Excelsior Mouscron were refused a professional licence and relegated to the third division due to financial irregularities.
 
Two other clubs, Beveren and Lierse, have been given until 8 May to guarantee approximately EUR 1 million or, an FA spokesman said, they also would be relegated. The four teams will start the season with a three-point handicap.
 
As part of a Belgian investigation into match-fixing, La Louviere’s chairman and the club's lawyer were charged last month. A former Lierse coach was sacked by Excelsior Mouscron when he admitted his involvement in match-fixing. His former club, Anderlecht, also sacked two players when they confessed to being involved at Lierse.
 
“This has no connection with the current investigation into alleged match-fixing,” the FA spokesman said.