The Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) has decided not to prosecute Philippe Bormans, CEO of Union Saint-Gilloise.
Bormans had reached out to Federal Prosecutor Ebe Verhaegen by phone to discuss the suspension of defender Christian Burgess, a topic which has stirred much controversy in the Belgian football world.
Verhaegen reported the phone call to the URBSFA as a perceived attempt to influence him over the decision, but Belgian football chiefs announced on Monday to Belga that they would not be filing charges.
The Belgian Pro League is currently in the play-off stage to decide this year's league winners between Union Saint-Gilloise, Anderlecht, Genk, Antwerp, Cercle Brugge and Club Brugge.
During the first round of playoffs, Burgess received a red card in Union Saint-Gilloise’s defeat to Genk (1-0). The English player was offered a two-match suspension by the Belgian Union’s prosecutor last Tuesday, but the club rejected the proposal, believing the red card was unfairly given.
The case was then sent to the disciplinary council, which reduced the suspension to one match on Friday. Burgess was in the stands for the match against Cercle Bruges, thinking he was serving his suspension, but it was later revealed that the prosecutor had appealed the decision considered to be insufficient.
Since such a procedure has a suspensive effect, Burgess could have played against Cercle, but the club was not notified in time about the decision. Therefore, Burgess did not serve his suspension since it was not definitively given.
Union's Christian Burgess leaves the field after receiving a red card during the football match between KRC Genk and Royale Union Saint Gilloise, Monday 01 April 2024 in Genk. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
This absurd situation led Bormans to contact the Federal Prosecutor. The details of the conversation were not disclosed, but Verhaegen labelled it "inappropriate".
For the Belgian Union, Verhaegen had reported the situation to ensure the "impartiality of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office", but they deemed that it did not require any sanctions.
"The Federal Prosecutor reported inappropriate contact from the CEO of Union," URBSFA told Belga. "By reporting this, the impartiality of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has been ensured," it concluded.
The case now returns to the disciplinary panel for professional football. The ruling will take place on Tuesday at 13:30 in the federation's offices in Tubize.
