February 21 – Belgian authorities have stepped up their investigation into corruption in the local game detaining former club coach Peter Maes (pictured) for a second and time and holding him overnight in jail. His arrest came following revelations by agent Dejan Veljkovic, who has reportedly opted for a plea bargain.
In October last year a corruption scandal stung Belgian football as local authorities investigated match-fixing and financial fraud in the game. Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko was detained and leading agent Mogi Bayat was also arrested, but it’s the testimonies of Veljkovic that have caused a new ripple.
Maes, who had already spent two nights in jail in October, was detained again on suspicion of money laundering and corruption. He was later released under conditions. Officials at Lokeren and Genk, clubs Maes worked for, were also interviewed. In total, 16 people have been interviewed by police investigators, according to Belgian media.
“This intervention relates to the financial part of the research,” said the federal prosecutor’s office in a press release. “It is about determining the trajectory of relatively large amounts of money that may have been received by P.M. [Peter Maes] as a hidden commission.”
Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad claims that Maes, who is without a club at present, may have laundered up to €2.5 million during his spells with both Genk and Lokeren, facilitated by a Montenegrin company Veljkovic had set up.
Maes and his lawyer declined to comment. The latest developments are not related to match-fixing. In October FIFA referees Bart Vertenten and Sébastien Delferière were also named among the suspects being investigated.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714144431labto1714144431ofdlr1714144431owedi1714144431sni@o1714144431fni1714144431