By Samindra Kunti
June 3 – Belgium may be one of the favorites to win Euro2016, but the Belgian FA, the KBVB, has been suffering from a €4.5 million loss since the 2014 World Cup.
In the late 90’s and early noughties Belgian football hit rock bottom with the national team suffering an embarrassing first round exit at Euro 2000. The Belgians reconfigured their game with much success. In Brazil, the Red Devils reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Earlier this season Belgium, for the first time ever, topped the FIFA ranking.
In spite of the success, the KBVB remains in troubled financial waters: a revenue of about €50 million has not prevented a deficit of €4.5 million, according to Belgian media. Former CEO Steven Martens repeatedly claimed that he had transformed and modernised the KBVB, but the books suggests he presided over a regime that focused on self-enrichment.
As Belgium forgot to cancel their hotel in Brazil after their quarter-finals exit, Martens received a golden handshake. There were also questionable contracts with Bonka Circus, the production house of Vincent Kompany, and advertising agency Boondoggle. Martens’s policies were costly and not transparent.
This season the KBVB also had to forego revenue from the cancelled friendly with Spain in Brussels, following the Paris terror attacks.
Belgium will begin their Euro 2016 campaign on June 13 against Italy in Lyon, but questionmarks remain about both the team’s defensive department and attacking prowess. At the back, Belgium miss Manchester City stalwart Kompany due to injury. Coach Marc Wilmots insists that he will employ Tottenham’s central defense pairing Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen as full-backs, leaving the heart of his defense possibly exposed.
The number nine position is also a conundrum. Last Wednesday Belgium underwhelmed against Finland with Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi starting up front. Liverpool’s Divock Origi played on the right side of the midfield.
As Belgium trailed, coach Marc Wilmots (pictured) brought on both Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku with the Everton striker grabbing a late equalizer to save Belgium’s blushes. In general, Belgium refrain from using two strikers.
This weekend the Red Devils will conclude their EURO 2016 preparations with a friendly against Norway, a renewed chance for Wilmots to have a look at his attacking options. On June 7, Belgium head to their base camp in Bordeaux.
In Group E, the Belgians will also encounter Ireland and Sweden.
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