Lommel face uncertain future

The licence commission of the Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) has announced that KFC Lommelse SK have not been granted a licence for professional football for the 2003/04 season due to mounting financial problems.

Stringent criteria
In order to obtain a professional licence, a club must have cleared any debts with the tax authorities, social security and the URBSFA. Most First Division clubs have already met these criteria, although six – R. Charleroi SC, R. AEC Mons, R. Excelsior Mouscron, KSK Beveren, RAA Louviéroise and K. Lierse SK - still have to answer specific questions before theirs are granted.

Into liquidation
KV Mechelen have not applied for the licence. They have gone into liquidation and will play in the third division next season. Lommel face a similar fate, and will de demoted to the lower leagues unless they are able to settle their debts.

Mounting debts
Lommel have not paid tax for the last year, and their debts to the URBSFA amount to €400,000. The players have not been paid since December 2002, and many are trying to find a new club.

Notable departures
Carl Hoefkens has signed a contract until the end of the season with KVC Westerlo, subject to URBSFA ratification, while Richard Culek, Nenad Bjeković, Zoran Vašković, Mark Nygaard, Ibrahim Tankary and Dieter Dekelver are all either set to leave or have already done so.

Fine form
Lommel plan to field a team made up of youth players and amateurs for the rest of the season in order to ensure they complete the campaign. Despite mounting problems, Lommel have won their last two league games to boost their relegation struggle. They are also on the verge of reaching the Belgian Cup final having won the first leg of their semi-final.