Amateur football reform hailed as "historic" by Flemish Sports minister

From the season of 2023-2024 onwards, new financial rules will apply for amateur football clubs in Flanders. A maximum remuneration exempt from social security taxes of up to 4.500 euros per season will apply for players. On Monday, Flemish Sports minister Ben Weyts hailed the reform as "historic" and spoke of "a small revolution in our football".

With the new financial framework, Football Flanders and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) hope to end years of legal uncertainty surrounding the social security contributions of amateur footballers. The reforms should cement financial fair play rules and create a level playing field for clubs.

"The reform can be divided into two parts: financial rules on the one hand and financial governance on the other", explains Nand De Klerck, spokesman for Football Flanders. On the financial side, players will be allowed to pocket a maximum of 4.500 euros a year, or 100 euros per point won in profit bonuses, without the club having to pay NSSO (National Social Security Office) fees. Furthermore, only digital payments will be allowed. On the other hand, boards will and guided towards sustainable financial governance, with annual budget reviews and mandatory registrations of player contracts. The reform will take effect on July 1st, 2023.

"We would be very pleased if this breaks the vicious circle of player fees and hope that clubs will invest more in infrastructure, their youth and the social role they play."

"We wanted to create clarity, but we also hope that these measures will encourage boards to make adjustments in their list of priorities", De Klerck says. "We would be very pleased if this breaks the vicious circle of player fees and hope that clubs will invest more in infrastructure, their youth and the social role they play."

"The situation has been problematic for decades", said Flemish Sports minister Ben Weyts, who collaborated on the reform. "Two years ago, I proposed using the coronavirus crisis to bring about change and suggested a (remuneration) ceiling. So today, I am delighted that we were finally able to conclude this successfully."

The changes came about at the request of the clubs themselves, which raised the alarm during the pandemic on account of their dire financial situation. Clubs now have until July 1st to adapt to the new system. Sanctions for non-compliance have not been announced so far.

(BRV)

^{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister of Sports Ben Weyts © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}