March 28 – Belgian football will be getting an U-21 league in the 2019-2020 season following approval of the additional competition by the country’s Pro League.
The U-21 league had been an ever-present discussion in Belgian football, and finally received the go-ahead this week by the Pro League’s board of directors at its general assembly – the Pro League, the body governing professional football.
Belgian football has become renowned for its youth development, exporting players to Europe’s top leagues and producing the country’s ‘golden generation’ that went on to win a bronze medal at last year’s World Cup in Russia after eliminating Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
The new U-21 league seeks to consolidate Belgium’s high-quality youth development by pitting elite U-21 players against each other as they seek to transition to the professional level.
“This initiative was taken after no agreement was found last season to integrate the U-21 teams into the highest amateur series,” said the Pro League. “A competitive formula was developed under the impetus of management, clubs and respective technical directors Chris Van Puyvelde and Ariël Jacobs, [and] is being set up for the season (2019-2020).”
“The aim of this new competition is to guarantee the quality of encounters between the most promising players of the Pro League teams and is thus strongly committed to the crucial phase of post formation, the final link between youth training and the first teams of our clubs.”
The 24 clubs that make up the Pro League – the topflight and the second division – will compete in two divisions, 1A with eight teams and 21 match days and 1B with 16 clubs and 30 match days. Clubs will be allowed to field a maximum of two U-23 players and one senior player.
“The decision to have fewer match days in the A league is inspired by the already very busy schedules of the oldest youth players, with national selections and possible Youth League commitments,” explained the Pro League.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713878565labto1713878565ofdlr1713878565owedi1713878565sni@o1713878565fni1713878565