Molenbeek lose professional licence and will play in Belgian third tier | OneFootball

Molenbeek failed to secure a professional licence for next season on Friday, confirming they will compete in Belgium’s D3, the top amateur tier.

The club said in a statement that it had spent weeks trying to finalise a takeover, holding talks with several investors until the final hours, but complexity and deadlines stopped agreements being completed in time. The club remains alive and will communicate again once the next steps of its takeover and restructuring are formally set.

Sporting relegation had initially been enforced under the Challenger Pro League (D2) rule requiring at least four U23 teams in the division. The Belgian Competition Authority later suspended that rule, leaving open a path to remain in D2 if the necessary financial guarantees were provided.

RWDM are owned by the Eagle group and have been wrestling with financial problems.

They have been granted a D3 licence for next season, ensuring they continue in the amateur ranks rather than disappear.

Source: L'Équipe