Bas Dost in action for Club Brugge
(Picture: BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)Belgium's leading clubs have voted to support a possible ‘BeNe League’ merger with Dutch football.
The Belgian Pro League confirmed on Tuesday its general assembly had unanimously voted in favor of an "agreement in principle" for a potential cross-border league with the Dutch Eredivisie dubbed the BeNe League.
"This ambition is based both on the respect of the big clubs' sporting ambitions, and on the need for economic stability for the other professional clubs," the Pro League said. "The 25 clubs are unanimous in their desire to give the BeNeLeague a fair chance."
The details and format have been discussed for months between Dutch and Belgian clubs but a formal proposal has yet to be unveiled. The project has raised concerns among supporters' groups fearing it would favor only big clubs.
Last year, Belgian media reported the consulting company Deloitte calculated that a merger could generate up to 400 million euros (£343m) a year in marketing and television rights deals.
In its statement, the Pro League said the BeNeLeague should guarantee the financial stability of the professional clubs which won't take part in the new competition through the creation of a new national top league.
