COVID-19: Dennis, Okereke crowned champions of Belgium

Nigerian duo of Emmanuel Dennis and David Okereke have been crowned champions of Belguim with Club Brugge.

The club emerged champions after the country’s Pro League on Friday confirmed last month’s decision to cancel the rest of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brugge had a runaway 15-point lead with one match left in the regular season and will take up an automatic spot in next season’s Champions League group phase.

“The Board of Directors took note of the recommendations of Dr. Van Ranst and the government that it is highly unlikely that games with the public will be played before June 30. The current situation also makes it very unclear whether and when a resumption of collective training courses can be foreseen at all,” the Belgian Pro League said in a statement.

“Even if games behind closed doors could theoretically be possible, the additional pressure they place on health and order services should be avoided. Moreover, decisions by local authorities threaten to make a joint course of match days impossible.

“The Board of Directors has unanimously decided that it is not desirable to continue the competition after June 30,” continued the statement. “Given the above elements, the Board of Directors has formulated a unanimous advice to the General Meeting not to resume the competitions of the season ’19 -’20 and to accept the current state of the Jupiler Pro League as final classification [subject to the decisions of the licensing committee].”

Club Brugge have now claimed their 16th league title.