Seraing files a complaint against KV Oostende and hopes to avoid relegation: “It is a computer error”

Seraing hopes to enforce retention in the Challenger Pro League via the green table. The Metallos are filing a complaint because they believe Alessandro Albanese is not eligible to play.

KV Oostende obtained a ticket for an extended stay at the expense of Seraing on the final day of the Challenger Pro League. Both clubs fought a fierce relegation battle for weeks. Even after the competition they are still at odds with each other.

Alessandro Albanese, a native of Liège who returned to KV Oostende after a season at Virton, injured himself early in the season. There followed a long recovery after knee surgery. In the final phase of the competition he was included in the match selection several times. His appearances were limited. However, Seraing believes that he was not eligible to play for the Seraing-KVO matches of March 31 and Patro Eisden-KVO of April 14. According to Seraing, Albanese was not registered on the official player list of KV Oostende.

Disciplinary committee

KVO is annoyed by the complaint but is convinced that he is right. They therefore completely dismiss the complaint. “It concerns a computer error in the KBVB software system when requesting the player lists. The player was on our Squad List for the entire season. The KBVB has now also confirmed this to KVO and Seraing,” responds Bram Keirsebilck, communications manager of KV Oostende. “Seraing’s complaint is therefore unfounded and we are convinced that this will also become apparent during the hearing of the competent disciplinary committee on Friday, May 10.”

Seraing hopes that KV Oostende will still be relegated in the event of a decision to the detriment of KVO and that Seraing will therefore remain in professional football. Seraing is the first Belgian club to be relegated in two consecutive seasons this century in both the Jupiler Pro League and the Challenger Pro League.