Belgian First Division A

Football league
The Belgian First Division A, [ 1 ] Belgian Pro League or 1A Pro League ( formally Jupiler Pro League ( dutch pronunciation : [ ˈʒypilɛr ˈproː ˈlik ] ) ascribable to sponsorship reasons with AB InBev ‘ s brewer Jupiler ) since the 2015–16 season, is the top league rival for association football clubs in Belgium. Contested by 18 clubs since 2020–21 season, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Belgian First Division B. Seasons run from early August to late April, with teams playing 34 matches each in the regular season, and then entering play-offs I or play-offs II according to their place in the regular season. Play-offs I ( besides known as the title playoffs or Champions’ play-offs ) are contested by the top-four clubs in the regular season, with each club playing each other twice. Play-offs II ( besides known as the Europa League playoff or Europe play-offs ) are contested by teams ranked 5 to 8 in the regular season, divided in four groups of four teams playing each other once. The team finish in 18th place is relegated immediately. however, the seventeenth set will battle for promotion-relegation play-off against 2nd place of Belgian First Division B. The contest was created in 1895 by the Royal Belgian Football Association and was inaugural won by FC Liégeois. Of the 74 clubs to have competed in the first division since its creation, 16 have been crowned champions of Belgium. RSC Anderlecht is the most successful league club with 34 titles, followed by Club Brugge KV ( 17 ), Union Saint-Gilloise ( 11 ) and Standard Liège ( 10 ). It is presently ranked 8th in the UEFA rankings of leagues based on performances in european competitions over the last five-years. [ 2 ] The competition was ranked 3rd when the UEFA first published their rate in 1979 and besides the future class in 1980, which is the best ranking the Belgian First Division has always achieved.

Reading: Belgian First Division A

history [edit ]

Origins ( 1895–1914 ) [edit ]

The first league in belgian football was held in 1895–96 as a round-robin tournament with seven teams : Antwerp FC, FC Brugeois, FC Liégeois, RC de Bruxelles, Léopold Club de Bruxelles, SC de Bruxelles, and Union d’Ixelles. FC Liégeois became the first supporter of Belgium. The inaugural eight titles in belgian football were all won by FC Liégeois or RC de Bruxelles. There was no promotion and delegating system at the time, but the last two finishers ( FC Brugeois and Union d’Ixelles ) recall and a new club entered the competition ( Athletic and Running Club de Bruxelles ). During the 1896–97 temper, SC de Bruxelles withdrew, so the 1897–98 season was played by five clubs. In the seasons 1898–99 and 1899–1900, the football association introduced a new format with two leagues at the top level and a final examination bet on in two legs. The format changed back to one league with nine clubs in 1900–01, then again to two leagues from 1901–02 to 1903–04, this clock with a final attack among the top two teams of each league. In 1904–05, the backing was organised with one league of 11 teams. athletic and Running Club de Bruxelles withdrew during the season and, from the 1906 season on, a organization of promotion and delegating was introduced with the winner of the second division replacing the last-placed team of the first base part. [ citation needed ] In 1906–07, Union Saint-Gilloise won their fourth consecutive championship as RC de Bruxelles had from 1899–1900 to 1902–03. Both clubs claimed the following three titles before CS Brugeois won their first title, finishing one point ahead their equal of FC Brugeois. At the end of the 1907–08 season, the count of teams in the first division was increased from 10 to 12 clubs, with Promotion champion RC de Gand and runner-up ESC Forest being promoted while no beginning division was relegated. As World War I approached, Daring Club de Bruxelles confirmed its status of rival, even winning the title in 1911–12 and 1913–14. only Union Saint-Gilloise could face them in that period, winning the 1912–13 championship with a better goal difference. Since 1911–12, two clubs are relegated each year to the Promotion and two clubs from the Promotion are promoted. [ citation needed ]

After World War I ( 1919–1945 ) [edit ]

During World War I, the football backing was suspended. It resumed in 1919–20 with FC Brugeois claiming their first style after 5-second places, among which were 2 lost final games and one lost test-match. At the end of the 1920–21 season, the number of teams was increased from 12 to 14, with only Uccle Sport, the last-placed team of the inaugural division, being relegated, and the first 3 teams from the Promotion being promoted ( Standard Club Liégeois, FC Malinois, and RSC Anderlechtois ). From 1921–22 to 1931–32, the decade was dominated by teams from the province of Antwerp : Beerschot AC, with Raymond Braine, won their first five titles, Antwerp FC their first two and the small baseball club of Liersche SK ( led by striker Bernard Voorhoof ) won their first matchless in 1931–32. The challengers at the time were CS Brugeois ( two titles in that period ), Union Saint-Gilloise ( one title ), Daring Club de Bruxelles and Standard Club Liégeois. Starting 25 December 1932, Union Saint-Gilloise had a record 60 games unbeaten run in the backing ( spanning 3 seasons ), winning the 1932–33, 1933–34, and 1934–35 titles. The rival of Union during this time period was Daring Club de Bruxelles. They claimed the following two championships. Following the come-back of actor Raymond Braine to Beerschot, the Antwerp cabaret won the final two titles before World War II. [ citation needed ] On 10 May 1940 German troops invaded Belgium and the seasons 1939–40 and 1940–41 were suspended. The contest resumed in September 1941 and Liersche SK won their second title. At the end of the season, no baseball club was relegated and the number of clubs was increased from 14 to 16. The following season, Liersche SK lost three key players ( two of them in a bombard fire and the other one ascribable to a heavy injury sustained on the sales talk ) and they ended at 3rd place while the neighbours of KV Mechelen became ace for the first prison term in their history. In 1943–44, Antwerp FC won the style. The league was suspended again in 1944–45 because of World War II. [ citation needed ]

After World War II ( 1945–1980 ) [edit ]

The league resumed play in 1945–46 with a claim for KV Mechelen. At the beginning of that season, the First Division went from 16 to 19 clubs, with 3 clubs promoted from the First Division and no team being relegated. The acme scorer award was besides introduced that season, won by Bert De Cleyn from KV Mechelen. Two seasons late, 5 clubs were relegated and two promoted. In 1946–47, RSC Anderlechtois won their first base backing with Jef Mermans as the key striker and they dominated the belgian football over the following 9 years with 6 more titles, with KV Mechelen ( in 1947–48 ) and FC Liégeois ( in 1951–52 and 1952–53 ) claiming the remaining titles. The belgian Golden Shoe award was introduced in 1954, rewarding the best player in the first base division for the past calendar year, frankincense over two half seasons. [ citation needed ] In the late 1950s Standard lifted the trophy for the first time in 1957–58 and they finally became one of Anderlecht ‘s biggest rivals in the league ( until their 8th claim in 1982–83 ). The early titles in the late 1950s were won by Antwerp FC and Anderlecht. In the 1960s, the Anderlecht team of Paul Van Himst claimed six titles ( with the belgian record of five consecutives titles between 1963–64 and 1967–68 ), while Standard claimed three and Lierse one. Standard, with samara player Wilfried Van Moer, won the first base two titles of the 1970s, which gave them their only soprano so far ( together with the 1968–69 championship ). 1974–75 was the alone season with arsenic many as 20 clubs in the league ‘s history. belgian baseball club started to perform well in european Cups in the 1970s, with Anderlecht winning the 1975-76 european Cup Winners ‘ Cup and Club Brugge losing to Liverpool F.C. in the 1975-76 UEFA Cup final. The succeed temper, Anderlecht lost to Hamburger SV in the Cup Winners ‘ Cup concluding and in 1977–78 succeed for the second prison term, while Club Brugge lost the european Cup to Liverpool F.C.. In the Belgian First Division, Club Brugge claimed four titles in the ten, while Anderlecht claimed two and R White Daring Molenbeek ( the successor of Daring Club de Bruxelles ) with Johan Boskamp and KSK Beveren with goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff each claimed their first belgian championship. [ citation needed ]

late years ( 1980–present ) [edit ]

In the 1980s, the european successes continued for belgian clubs with Standard reaching the 1981-82 european Cup Winners ‘ Cup final, Anderlecht winning the 1982-83 UEFA Cup and losing the future UEFA Cup final and KV Mechelen winning the 1987-88 european Cup Winners ‘ Cup. In the domestic league, Anderlecht won their twentieth title in 1986–87, which was besides the 4th of the ten. Club Brugge and Standard each won 2 titles in the 1980s and KSK Beveren and KV Mechelen one each. [ citation needed ] In the 1990s, Belgium ‘s teams performances were diminished in european competitions, with merely RSC Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp FC reaching the european Cup Winners ‘ Cup concluding, respectively in 1989–90 and in 1992–93. In the dwelling league, RSC Anderlecht took 4 titles during the decade, while Club Brugge cemented their condition as main rival with 4 titles. The remaining two titles went to Lierse SK and newcomer Racing Genk. The 2000s brought a bright european start, with Anderlecht reaching the second group stage in the 2000-01 UEFA Champions League, but the rest of the ten belgian clubs were again not very successful in european competitions. In the league, RSC Anderlecht won 5 titles in the decade, with Club Brugge claiming two titles and Racing Genk taking their second championship. At the goal of the decade, Standard Liège returned as a title rival with two back-to-back titles, 25 years after their 1982–83 championship. At the end of the 2000s, the highest level in belgian football was reshaped, with a play-off circle after the regular season. RSC Anderlecht won the first backing in this fresh format, which was their thirtieth style. [ citation needed ] After another two titles for Anderlecht, KAA Gent was the surprise achiever of the Championship in 2015 .

competition format and name [edit ]

Starting with the 2009–10 season, the format of the Pro League has been drastically changed. Playoffs were introduced after the regular season, the total of teams was decreased from 18 to 16 and the calendar has besides been modified, with matches being played during the Christmas vacation. many already criticized the format and point out the Dutch Eredivisie, where the playoffs are not being played anymore. RSC Anderlecht won the first championship in this newfangled format, the belgian Pro League 2009-10, which was their thirtieth belgian championship. Matches are normally played on Saturdays at 20.00 ; however, some matchdays are played on Wednesdays. Furthermore, in recent years, some games are played on Fridays or during the weekend at different times ( for example, Saturday at 18.00 or Sunday at 13.00 or 20.00 ), as decided by the owner of television rights. Each team playing the Pro League must have been granted the belgian professional football license guaranteeing the cabaret has no excessive debts, has a secure stadium, etc. This was introduced in the 2001–02 temper to decrease the number of teams in the division and ensure a higher level of professionalism in the clubs playing in the top flight of belgian football. originally, clubs that could not get the license were supposed not to be replaced ( and sent to the third division ). however, it is still not effective as, for exercise, KSK Beveren finished 18th ( final ) in 2001–2002, but was saved as KSC Eendracht Aalst ( 17th ) and RWD Molenbeek ( 10th ) were refused their license. Following the 2015–16 season, the count of professional teams in Belgium was brought toss off to 24, which largely affected the teams playing at the second level of the belgian football pyramid as the belgian Second Division was replaced by the Belgian First Division B and the total of teams dropped to eight .

even season [edit ]

Each of the 18 competitors in the Pro League hosts every early team once in the regular season, for a full of 34 matches between August and April. A win earns three points and a drawing card earns one detail. Teams are ranked by entire points, then by total wins and finally by goal remainder, number of score goals, number of aside goals, and phone number of aside wins. If teams are still degree, a test-match is played in two legs to determine the concluding order in the standings. A playoff phase is then played from May .

Championship Playoff [edit ]

The point system in the championship playoff is the lapp as during the even season, except that each team starts with half of the points they won in the regular season, rounded up to the nearest integer. The points gained by rounding are deducted in the character of a bind. The clear four teams from the even season enter the championship playoff, with the first-placed team winning the backing of Belgium. Each team plays their opponents doubly, and the teams are ranked by points, points from rounding, wins, etc. as in the regular season .

all-time rank in the Championship Playoff [edit ]

Since the introduction of the playoff system in 2009

Last updated following the 2018–19 season

Rank

Club

Seasons

Played

Won

Drew

Lost

Points

Avg. Points per Match

Titles

Last participation

1
Club Brugge
11
106
50
23
33
173
1.63
179
133
+46
4
2020–21

2
Anderlecht
11
106
48
25
33
169
1.59
163
130
+33
5
2020–21

3
Genk
8
76
37
15
24
126
1.66
123
102
+21
2
2020–21

4
Standard Liège
7
70
33
15
22
114
1.63
115
92
+23
2018–19

5
Gent
8
80
28
20
23
104
1.3
107
111
-4
1
2018–19

6
Zulte Waregem
5
50
12
11
27
47
0.94
66
102
−36
2016–17

7
Charleroi
3
30
7
8
15
29
0.97
32
50
−18
2017–18

8
Kortrijk
3
30
8
5
17
29
0.97
36
55
−19
2014–15

9
Oostende
2
20
6
5
9
23
1.15
28
36
−8
2016–17

10
Antwerp
2
16
5
4
7
19
1.19
18
27
−9
2020–21

11
Lokeren
3
30
4
7
19
19
0.63
38
66
−28
2013–14

12
Sint-Truiden
1
10
3
4
3
13
1.3
9
10
−1
2009–10

Comprehensive team results by season [edit ]

Legend

1st — Champions
2nd — Runners-up
3rd — Third place
• — Did not qualify
× — Playing in a lower division
five hundred — Defunct

Team

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

2019–20

2020–21

Anderlecht
1st
3rd
1st
1st
1st
3rd
2nd
1st
3rd
6th
not held due to coronavirus
4th

Antwerp
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
•
4th
3rd
Charleroi

•
•
×
•
•
5th
•
5th
6th
•
•

Club Brugge
3rd
4th
2nd
3rd
3rd
2nd
1st
2nd

Europa League Playoff [edit ]

Until 2016, the teams ranked 7 to 14 after the regular season enter the playoffs 2, with teams ranked 7th, 9th, 12th, and 14th entering group A and teams ranked 8th, 10th, 11th, and 13th entering group B. In each group, each team plays each of its 3 opponents twice. The achiever of each group played the final examination game in two legs to determine the winner of the playoffs 2. The winner of the playoffs 2 then plays a home and away game against either the fourth-place or fifth-place team from the playoffs 1 for the final Europa League ticket, with the opponent depending on whether the belgian Cup winner ended in the top four of the playoff 1 or not. From 2016, the system was changed as immediately the teams ranked 7 to 16 are joined by six teams from the Belgian First Division B and divided into four groups of four teams. The winners of each groups immediately play a unmarried match to determine the overall playoff winner, with the winner playing the fifth-placed team from playoff 1 in a single match for the final Europa League slate .

Relegation playoff [edit ]

Until 2015, a relegation playoff was played between the teams ranked 15th and 16th after the even season. It consisted of five games between the two teams. The 15th-placed team started the playoffs with 3 points whereas the 16th-placed team started from zero. The loser of the relegation playoff was relegated to the second division. The achiever of that playoff had to enter the belgian Second Division Final Round with 3 teams from the second division. The achiever of this Final Round played in the First Division the season thereafter. From 2015, the delegating playoff ceased to exist, as now the 16th-place team relegates immediately, whereas the 15th placed team takes region in the Europa League playoff. The 2015–16 belgian Pro League was an exception as during that season the 15th placed team did not take character in any playoff, with the season for that team ending after the regular season .

qualification for european competitions [edit ]

For the 2010–11 season, the belgian champion and the runner-up qualify for the 3rd UEFA Champions League qualifying round ( of 4 ). [ 3 ] The belgian Cup winner ( or the Cup finalist if the Cup winner finished first or second in the league ) qualifies for the play-off of the UEFA Europa League. The third-placed team ( or the fourth-placed team if the Cup winner finished third in the league ) qualifies for the 3rd and last stipulate cycle and the winner of the game between the play-offs 2 winner and the fourth-placed team ( or the fifth-placed team if the Cup winner finished fourthly ) qualifies for the 2nd qualifying turn. [ 4 ]

Naming [edit ]

1895–1904: Championship Cup
1904–1926: First Division
1926–1952: Division of Honour
1952–2016: First Division
2016–: First Division A

Media coverage [edit ]

The Belgian Football Association sells the television rights for the Belgian First Division every three years. In 2005, the newly created belgian television receiver channel Belgacom television receiver bought the television receiver rights for a record amount of €36 million per season until 2019–20. In May 2008, the rights were again sold to Belgacom TV in association with both public broadcasters VRT ( Dutch ) and RTBF ( French ) for an sum of €45.7 million per season. [ 5 ] RTBF and VRT thus received the rights to show summaries of first division games, a well as rights to a weekly magazine on the competition. Belgacom television received the rights to show each bet on in the rival. On June 12, 2020, Aser ‘s Eleven Sports and the Pro League have reached an agreement on the new domestic and external media contract for the coming five years. As exclusive ball-shaped rights holder, Eleven Sports will air the rights of all Pro League competitions for the following five seasons from 2020–21 until 2024–25, with both public broadcasters VRT ( Dutch ) and RTBF ( French ) lands the rights for highlights again. [ 6 ] [ 7 ]

Clubs [edit ]

Champions [edit ]

bold clubs play in top flight
italic clubs dissolved or merged

Most seasons in First Division A [edit ]

lone clubs with more than 50 seasons in first division :

bold clubs play in First Division
italic clubs dissolved or merged

Clubs that played in First Division [edit ]

A sum of 74 clubs have played in the first division since its universe in 1895. Among those 74 clubs, 44 silent exist and the 30 other clubs either went into extermination or merged with another club .

Members for 2021–22 [edit ]

For the 2021–22 season, the 18 active clubs are already known and listed below .

a b c d As Beerschot-Wilrijk

Players [edit ]

Players in the Belgian First Division can be of any nationality and a club can sign as many extraneous players as desired. The first gear clubhouse to start a game with 11 alien players was KSC Lokeren in 2001. Every year, players are elected for belgian Golden Shoe awards, the highest awards a player can receive in belgian competitions, but besides for belgian master football awards. Players with african descent, beginning or nationality can claim a belgian Ebony Shoe prize. Players compete besides every season for the Belgian First Division top scorer, since the 1945–46 season .

top scorers [edit ]

Erwin Vandenbergh is the only musician to have claimed the acme scorer title 4 consecutive times, between 1979–80 and 1982–83 ( the first three times while at Lierse SK and the final clock time while at RSC Anderlecht ). He is besides the player to have claimed the most belgian First Division exceed scorer titles in his career ( 6 times with 3 different clubs : 3 times with Lierse SK, twice with RSC Anderlecht and once with KAA Gent ). Victor Wegria and Josip Weber won the title 3 consecutive times ( resp. between 1958–59 and 1960–61 while at RFC Liégeois and between 1991–92 and 1993–94 while at Cercle Brugge KSV ). Wegria finally finished circus tent scorer a fourth time in 1962–63 inactive with RFC Liégeois, making him the second player with the most top scorekeeper titles in the history of Belgian First Division top scorers. The insertion of this title of honor in 1945 was possibly a little besides belated for first winner Bert De Cleyn as this actor has scored the most goals in the history of the Belgian First Division since 1895 ( 350 goals in 395 games between 1932 and 1954 with KV Mechelen ), though he won the top scorer championship lone once. other players in the top ten of the all-time lead scorer ranking in the Belgian First Division include Joseph Mermans ( 3 times top scorer, 339 goals overall in 382 games with RSC Anderlecht ), Bernard Voorhoof ( Belgium home football team top scorer, 281 goals in 473 matches with Lierse SK ), Rik Coppens ( 3 times top scorer ), Erwin Vandenbergh and Paul Van Himst ( Belgium peak scorekeeper with Bernard Voorhoof, 3 times exceed scorekeeper ). The first alien actor to claim the title was Dutchman Jan Mulder in 1966–67 with RSC Anderlecht. Since then, 25 foreign players have finished acme scorekeeper. only three foreign players claimed the trophy more than once : Josip Weber Josip Weber ( doubly as a Croat and once as a belgian ), austrian Alfred Riedl and most recently Frenchman Jérémy Perbet .