Belgian courts add league leaders Genk to investigation

Belgian league leaders Genk were one of two teams targeted in the latest wave of searches and interrogations linked to the “footballgate” scandal, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

In all, 16 people were questioned on Tuesday and Wednesday, said court spokesman Eric Van Duyse.

In addition, three searches were carried out on Tuesday morning, said a court statement.

“All the people interviewed are involved with the Sporting Lokeren or KRC Genk football clubs or belong to the entourage of ‘D.V.’,” said the statement, referring to player agent Dejan Veljkovic, one of the suspects in the scandal which erupted in October.

Suspected of orchestrating fraudulent payments related to player transfers, Veljkovic was released in November after several weeks of detention, in exchange for his promise to assist prosecutors with their inquiries.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the latest series of hearings are to provide “further checks” on evidence provided by Veljkovic, in particular the role of one of those interviewed who is identified only as ‘P.M.’

“This is to establish the path followed by relatively large sums of money potentially related to hidden commissions that would have been received by P.M.,” the statement said.

P.M., who is believed to be former Lokeren coach Peter Maes, was released on Wednesday but, unlike the other people question over the last two days, under conditions imposed by the investigating judge.

The investigation concerns suspicions of fraud related to the payment of salaries, commissions to agents and the suspected rigging of two games in March 2018 in a failed effort to save Mechelen from relegation to the second division.

Those suspected of money laundering, corruption or participation in a criminal organisation, include club directors, players, two referees and the coach of Club Brugge.