Belgium/Netherlands: Eredivisie clubs abandon the BeNeLiga project

"The Dutch top clubs - AFC Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord Rotterdam, FC Utrecht, Vitesse Arnhem and AZ Alkmaar - determined on Wednesday that there is insufficient support among them and the other Dutch clubs to set up the BeNeLiga (Belgium/Netherlands League)," announced the Pro League on 31/03/2022.

The BeNeLeague project consists of the creation of a league composed of the best Belgian (8 of the 18 clubs currently playing in the Jupiler Pro League) and Dutch (10 of the 18 clubs playing in the Eredivisie) clubs in order to create a bigger market, with the hope of increasing TV rights. The general assembly of the Belgian league voted unanimously in favour of the project in March 2021.

"The Dutch top clubs are now stopping the project, because the necessary support within Dutch football is lacking. The fact that Dutch clubs are currently performing well while Belgian clubs are struggling is undoubtedly a factor," said the Pro League.

• The concept of a BeNeLeague bringing together the best clubs in Belgium and the Netherlands in a single championship already exists in ice hockey and…