How Anderlecht made a careless mistake with the match sheet

Anderlecht fielded only five homegrown players instead of the required six against Club Brugge; the system failed to flag the breach, and the Belgian FA may order a regulatory loss.

Anderlecht drew with title contenders Club Brugge on Sunday, but an administrative error threatens to wipe out the result. The club listed only five Belgian-trained players on the official match sheet when regulations require a minimum of six in the squad.

The error emerged from a combination of system failures and late team changes. Coach Vítor Bruno moved three Belgian-trained players—Adriano Bertaccini, Kais Barry and Michiel Haentjens—from the bench to the stands just before warm-up.

The digital submission system, which normally flags violations like fielding suspended players or too few outfield players, contains no automated check for the homegrown player rule, only a counter that tracks the number. No warning appeared.

Anderlecht argues the competitive advantage gained was negligible and asks for leniency. Belgian media anticipates the federation will order a regulatory loss, which would hand Club Brugge the three points and restore them to the top of the table.