2016–17 Belgian First Division A
The 2016–17 season of the Belgian First Division A was the 114th season of top-tier football in Belgium and the first following the structural changes in the Belgian football pyramid, reducing the number of professional teams to 24. It began on 29 July 2016 and finished on 31 May 2017. The fixtures were announced on 8 June 2016.[1] Club Brugge were the defending champions but had to settle for second place with Anderlecht taking their 34th title.
Season | 2016–17 |
---|---|
Dates | 29 July 2016 – 31 May 2017 |
Champions | Anderlecht |
Relegated | Westerlo |
Champions League | Anderlecht Club Brugge |
Europa League | Zulte Waregem Gent Oostende |
Matches played | 191 |
Goals scored | 525 (2.75 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Łukasz Teodorczyk (22 goals) |
← 2015–16 2017–18 →
All statistics correct as of 29 January 2017. |
Team changes
- OH Leuven was relegated after finishing last in the 2015–16 Belgian Pro League.
- Due to the fact that 2015–16 Belgian Second Division champions WS Brussels were refused a Belgian professional football license, Eupen was promoted as runner-up instead.
Teams
Stadiums and locations
![2016–17 Belgian First Division A is located in Belgium](../I/Belgium_location_map.svg.png.webp)
Matricule | Club | Location | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
35 | Anderlecht | Anderlecht | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium | 21,000 |
22 | Charleroi | Charleroi | Stade du Pays de Charleroi | 14,000 |
3 | Club Brugge | Bruges | Jan Breydel Stadium | 29,042 |
4276 | Eupen | Eupen | Kehrweg Stadion | 8,363 |
322 | Genk | Genk | Cristal Arena | 24,956 |
7 | Gent | Ghent | Ghelamco Arena | 19,999 |
19 | Kortrijk | Kortrijk | Guldensporen Stadion | 9,399 |
282 | Lokeren | Lokeren | Daknamstadion | 9,560 |
25 | Mechelen | Mechelen | AFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne | 13,213 |
216 | Excel Mouscron | Mouscron | Stade Le Canonnier | 10,571 |
31 | Oostende | Ostend | Versluys Arena | 8,432 |
373 | Sint-Truiden | Sint-Truiden | Stayen | 14,600 |
16 | Standard Liège | Liège | Stade Maurice Dufrasne | 28,278 |
4068 | Waasland-Beveren | Beveren | Freethiel Stadion | 8,190 |
2024 | Westerlo | Westerlo | Het Kuipje | 8,035 |
5381 | Zulte Waregem | Waregem | Regenboogstadion | 9,540 |
Personnel and kits
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position | Replaced by | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sint-Truiden | ![]() |
Sacked | End of 2015–16 season[2] | Pre-season | ![]() |
14 April 2016[3] |
Anderlecht | ![]() |
Mutual consent | End of 2015–16 season[4] | ![]() |
21 June 2016 | |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Mutual consent | End of 2015–16 season[5] | ![]() |
1 July 2016[5] | |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Did not possess Pro-licence diploma | 29 August 2016[6] | 8th | ![]() |
29 August 2016[6] |
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Sacked | 6 September 2016[7] | 10th | ![]() |
6 September 2016[7] |
Mechelen | ![]() |
Signed by Standard Liège | 6 September 2016[7] | 7th | ![]() |
12 September 2016[8] |
Westerlo | ![]() |
Sacked | 13 September 2016[9] | 16th | ![]() |
14 September 2016[10] |
Lokeren | ![]() |
Sacked | 26 October 2016[11] | 12th | ![]() |
28 October 2016[12] |
Waasland-Beveren | ![]() |
Sacked | 28 October 2016[13] | 14th | ![]() |
7 November 2016[14] |
Excel Mouscron | ![]() |
Sacked | 5 December 2016[15] | 15th | ![]() |
6 December 2016[16] |
Genk | ![]() |
Sacked | 26 December 2016[17] | 9th | ![]() |
27 December 2016 |
Kortrijk | ![]() |
Belhocine obtained Pro-licence diploma | 8 March 2017[18] | 10th | ![]() |
8 March 2017[18] |
Standard Liège | ![]() |
Sacked | 17 April 2017[19] | Regular season: 9th Europa League POs: 5th |
![]() |
17 April 2017 |
Regular season
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Anderlecht | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 67 | 30 | +37 | 61 | Qualification for the championship play-offs |
2 | Club Brugge | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 56 | 24 | +32 | 59 | |
3 | Zulte Waregem | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 49 | 38 | +11 | 54 | |
4 | Gent | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 45 | 29 | +16 | 50 | |
5 | Oostende | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 50 | |
6 | Charleroi | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 34 | 29 | +5 | 49[lower-alpha 1] | |
7 | Mechelen | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 41 | 36 | +5 | 48 | Qualification for the Europa League play-offs |
8 | Genk | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 40 | 35 | +5 | 48 | |
9 | Standard Liège | 30 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 47 | 38 | +9 | 39[lower-alpha 1] | |
10 | Kortrijk | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 38 | 55 | −17 | 31 | |
11 | Lokeren | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 24 | 34 | −10 | 31 | |
12 | Sint-Truiden | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 35 | 48 | −13 | 30 | |
13 | Eupen | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 40 | 64 | −24 | 30 | |
14 | Waasland-Beveren | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 28 | 43 | −15 | 30 | |
15 | Excel Mouscron | 30 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 29 | 53 | −24 | 24 | |
16 | Westerlo (R) | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 33 | 65 | −32 | 23 | Relegation to the First Division B |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[22]
(R) Relegated
Notes:
- The match between Charleroi and Standard Liège on 4 December was stopped after 68 minutes after supporters from both teams had been throwing objects and fireworks onto the pitch, with Standard leading 3–1. On 15 December, the Royal Belgian Football Association decided to award zero points to both teams.[20] Standard appealed this decision, however the Belgian arbitration court for sports finally ruled that the decision would stand, meaning the 3–1 score was kept but no points were awarded. Standard Liège was however relieved of the penalty to play one match behind closed doors.[21]
Results
- The match between Charleroi and Standard Liège on 4 December was stopped after 68 minutes after supporters from both teams had been throwing objects and fireworks onto the pitch, with Standard leading 3–1. On 15 December, the Royal Belgian Football Association decided to award zero points to both teams.[23] Standard appealed this decision, however the Belgian arbitration court for sports finally ruled that the decision would stand, meaning the 3–1 score was kept but no points were awarded. Standard Liège was however relieved of the penalty to play one match behind closed doors.[24]
Championship play-offs
The points obtained during the regular season were halved (and rounded up) before the start of the playoff. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the playoff: Anderlecht 31 points, Club Brugge 30, Zulte Waregem 27, Gent 25, Oostende 25 and Charleroi 25. The points of Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Charleroi were rounded up, therefore in case of any ties on points at the end of the playoffs, the half point would have been deducted for these teams.
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AND | CLU | GNT | OOS | CHA | ZWA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Anderlecht (C) | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 52 | Qualification for the Champions League group stage | — | 2–0 | 0–0 | 3–2 | 0–1 | 2–0 | |
2 | Club Brugge | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 14 | +2 | 45 | Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | ||
3 | Gent | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 41 | Qualification for the Europa League third qualifying round | 0–0 | 2–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–2 | |
4 | Oostende (O) | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 17 | −3 | 37 | Qualification for the Europa League play-off final | 0–1 | 2–1 | 4–3 | — | 1–0 | 1–1 | |
5 | Charleroi | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | −3 | 35 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
6 | Zulte Waregem | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 21 | −9 | 33 | Qualification for the Europa League group stage[lower-alpha 1] | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points without (possible) half points added due to rounding; 3) Matches won; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Away goals scored; 7) Away matches won; 8) Play-off.[25]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Notes:
- Zulte Waregem qualified for the Europa League group stage by winning the 2016–17 Belgian Cup.
Europa League play-offs
Group A of the play-offs consisted of the teams finishing in positions 7, 9, 12 and 14 during the regular season and the first and third placed team in the qualifying positions in the 2016–17 Belgian First Division B. The teams finishing in positions 8, 10, 11, 13 and 15 joined the second placed qualifier from the 2016–17 Belgian First Division B to form group B.
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | STV | KVM | W-B | STA | USG | LIE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sint-Truiden (Q) | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 7 | +16 | 22 | Qualification for the Europa League play-off semi-final | — | 7–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | |
2 | Mechelen | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 16 | −9 | 16 | 1–0 | — | 1–3 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | ||
3 | Waasland-Beveren | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 19 | −2 | 15 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–4 | 3–2 | ||
4 | Standard Liège | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 14 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | ||
5 | Union SG | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 19 | −4 | 10 | 1–4 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | ||
6 | Lierse | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 16 | −4 | 10 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 2–3 | 1–0 | 2–1 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[26]
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | GNK | LOK | EUP | KVK | EXM | ROE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Genk (Q) | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 4 | +22 | 26 | Qualification for the Europa League play-off semi-final | — | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 6–0 | 3–1 | |
2 | Lokeren | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 15 | 1–1 | — | 4–1 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | ||
3 | Eupen | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 13 | 1–1 | 3–3 | — | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | ||
4 | Kortrijk | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 22 | −7 | 12 | 0–3 | 4–4 | 3–3 | — | 2–1 | 0–3 | ||
5 | Excel Mouscron | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 22 | −11 | 8 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–1 | — | 1–0 | ||
6 | Roeselare | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 22 | −5 | 7 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 3–5 | — |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[27]
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Semi-final
The winners of both play-off groups competed in one match to play the fourth-placed or fifth-placed team of the championship play-offs for a spot in the final. This match was played on the field of the highest ranked team in the regular competition. The winner of the semi-final advanced to the final to play for a spot in the third qualifying round of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League.
Genk | 3–0 | Sint-Truiden |
---|---|---|
Buffel ![]() Boëtius ![]() Samatta ![]() |
Pro League Soccerway |
Final
The winner of the Europa League play-off semi-final and the fourth-placed team played one match to determine the Europa League play-off winner. KV Oostende qualified for the third qualifying round of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, where they were eliminated by Olympique Marseille.
Season statistics
Top scorers
|
Top assists
|
Clean sheets
- As of matches played on 25 February 2017.[30]
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Club Brugge | 12 |
2 | ![]() |
Mechelen | 9 |
![]() |
Charleroi | 9 | |
4 | ![]() |
Standard | 8 |
5 | ![]() |
Genk | 7 |
6 | ![]() |
Anderlecht | 6 |
![]() |
Zulte Waregem | 6 | |
![]() |
Lokeren | 6 | |
![]() |
Westerlo | 6 | |
10 | ![]() |
Sint-Truiden & Oostende | 5 |
![]() |
Waasland-Beveren | 5 | |
![]() |
Mechelen | 5 | |
![]() |
Anderlecht | 5 | |
![]() |
Gent | 5 | |
Number of teams by provinces
Number of teams | Province or region | Team(s) |
---|---|---|
4 | ![]() | Club Brugge, Kortrijk, Oostende and Zulte Waregem |
3 | ![]() | Gent, Lokeren and Waasland-Beveren |
2 | ![]() | Mechelen and Westerlo |
![]() | Charleroi and Mouscron | |
![]() | Eupen and Standard Liège | |
![]() | Genk and Sint-Truiden | |
1 | ![]() | Anderlecht |
0 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | / |
Attendances
Football clubs with an average home attendance of at least 10,000:[31]
Team | Home average |
---|---|
Club Brugge | 26,691 |
Standard de Liège | 21,802 |
KAA Gent | 19,807 |
RSC Anderlecht | 18,333 |
KRC Genk | 16,104 |
KV Mechelen | 11,991 |
References
- "KV Mechelen - Club Brugge openingsmatch Jupiler Pro League 2016-2017". Belgian First Division A. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- "STVV gaat niet door met coach O'Loughlin: "Zoeken opnieuw een jeugdige trainer"" [STVV does not continue with manager O'Loughlin: "We're looking for a youthful trainer again"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-04-04.
- "Ivan Leko wordt coach van STVV: "Dit is een ambitieuze club"" [Ivan Leko becomes manager of STVV: "This is an ambitious club"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-04-14.
- "Hasi is niet langer coach van Anderlecht" [Hasi no longer manager at Anderlecht] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-05-25.
- "Kortrijk en De Wilde zetten hun samenwerking stop, nieuwe spits tekent" [Kortrijk and De Wilde stop cooperation, nieuwe spits tekent] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-07-01.
- "Bart Van Lancker is nieuwe stroman bij KV Kortrijk" [Bart Van Lancker is new jackstraw at KV Kortrijk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-08-29.
- "Standard stopt met Yannick Ferrera en verwelkomt Aleksandar Jankovic" [Standard ends cooperation with Yannick Ferrera and welcomes Aleksandar Jankovic] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-09-06.
- "Ferrera: "KVM is beste wat me kon overkomen na Standard"" [Ferrera: "KVM best thing which could happen to me after Standard"] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-09-12.
- "Bob Peeters krijgt zijn ontslag bij Westerlo" [Bob Peeters gets sacked at Westerlo] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-09-13.
- "Jacky Mathijssen moet Westerlo uit de gevarenzone loodsen" [Jacky Mathijssen to lead Westerlo out of danger zone] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-09-14.
- "Georges Leekens is niet langer trainer van Lokeren" [Georges Leekens no longer trainer at Lokeren] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2016-10-26.
- "Lokeren legt lot in handen van Runar Kristinsson: IJslander volgt Georges Leekens op". Knack (in Dutch). 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- "Vreven vertrekt bij Waasland-Beveren". RTV Utrecht (in Dutch). 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- "Janevski volgt Vreven op bij Waasland-Beveren". Sport.be (in Dutch). 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- "Moeskroen zet Glen De Boeck op de keien" [Mouscron kicks Glen De Boeck to the curb]. sporza.be (in Dutch). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- "Mircea Rednic moet Moeskroen uit de nood helpen" [Mircea Rednic to help Mouscron get out of trouble]. sporza.be (in Dutch). 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- "Peter Maes is ontslagen als coach van KRC Genk" [Peter Maes sacked as head coach of KRC Genk]. sporza.be (in Dutch). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
- "Belhocine neemt opnieuw over als T1 bij KV Kortrijk" [Belhocine again takes over as head coach at KV Kortrijk] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-03-08.
- "Aleksandar Jankovic is ontslagen bij Standard" [Aleksandar Jankovic sacked at Standard] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 2017-04-17.
- "Geen punten voor Charleroi en Standard (No points for Charleroi and Standard)" (in Dutch). Jupiler Pro League. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- "Noch Standard noch Charleroi krijgt punten" [Neither Standard nor Charleroi receives points] (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- "First Division A 2016/2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- "Geen punten voor Charleroi en Standard (No points for Charleroi and Standard)" (in Dutch). Jupiler Pro League. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- "Noch Standard noch Charleroi krijgt punten" [Neither Standard nor Charleroi receives points] (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- "FIRST DIVISION A 2016/2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- "FIRST DIVISION A 2016/2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- "FIRST DIVISION A 2016/2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- "Summary - First Division A - Belgium - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- "Jupiler Pro League (Belgié) - Wie zorgde voor de meeste goals en assists in 2016 - 2017? | Voetbalkrant.com". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- "TEXACO CLEAN SHEET". Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- "Eerste klasse a 2016/2017 - Attendance".