He has been the head of Jut for months, but the Charleroi Council confirms “full confidence” in Mehdi Bayat

The Board of Directors of Sporting Charleroi expressed its support for Mehdi Bayat in a press release on Tuesday. He enjoys the “full confidence” of the board. “There is no question of a departure or dismissal,” it sounds.

As managing director, Bayat has been Jut’s head among the supporters for several months. He is accused of enriching himself at the club’s expense. Moreover, sporting performance declines every season. In the coming weeks, the Zebras must try to ensure retention in the Play-downs.

Bayat does get a “mentor” in the American businessman David Helmer. “In a dynamic and demanding environment, it is essential for a club leader to have someone who encourages him,” Helmer explained. “Mehdi can benefit from my direct support. We already communicate daily about decisions that need to be made in the sporting field.”

Helmer was welcomed to Charleroi as a new investor in December. The American made a fortune with a company that supplies laboratory equipment. He also heads the Catalytik Group, an investment group in the sports sector.

The Charleroi Board of Directors indicated that the “transition to professional management” has been underway since Helmer’s arrival. Work is also being done on a sporting department within the club. In recent years it was mainly Bayat who made both sporting and extra-sporting decisions.

Charleroi opens the Play-downs on Saturday with a home match against RWDM. The Hainauts (29 pts) start the play-offs for retention as the leader. Eupen (24 pts), Kortrijk (24 pts) and RWDM (23 pts) follow behind them. The last two teams are directly relegated, the number two plays jump-off matches against the winner of the Promotion Play-offs in the Challenger Pro League. The winner of the Play-downs maintains himself at the highest level.