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2015–16 Belgian Pro League

The 2015–16 season of the Belgian Pro League (also known as Jupiler Pro League for sponsorship reasons) was the 113th season of top-tier football in Belgium. It started in the last week of July 2015 and finished in May 2016. Gent were the defending champions.

Jupiler Pro League
Season2015–16
Dates24 July 2015 – 22 May 2016
ChampionsClub Brugge
RelegatedOH Leuven
Champions LeagueClub Brugge
Anderlecht
Europa LeagueStandard Liège
Gent
Genk
Matches played184
Goals scored517 (2.81 per match)
Top goalscorerJérémy Perbet
(22 goals)[1]
Biggest home winClub Brugge 7–1 Standard Liège[1]
Biggest away winWaasland-Beveren 1–5 Oostende
Zulte-Waregem 0–4 Anderlecht[1]
Highest scoringClub Brugge 7–1 Standard Liège[1]
Longest winning run7 games[1]
Club Brugge
Longest unbeaten run14 games[1]
K.A.A. Gent
Longest winless run8 games[1]
Standard Liège and Westerlo
Longest losing run6 games[1]
OH Leuven

This marked the final season under the "Pro League" name. A reorganization of the Belgian professional leagues ensued after the season, leading to the top league being renamed "First Division A" starting from the 2016–17 season onward.

Changes from 2014–15

Structural changes

Some changes have been introduced compared to the previous season, with the most significant one being the relegation rules. Instead of organizing a relegation playoff between the teams finishing in the two last positions, this season will see the last team relegated immediately, while the team placed 15th will not participate in any playoff and will remain in the renamed Belgian First Division A.[2]

Several other smaller changes were introduced,[3] namely:

  • The team finishing on top of the table following the regular season, will be assured at least place in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League in case they drop out of the top two positions and thereby miss out on the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. They will be awarded a spot in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round, or even the Group stage in case the 2015–16 Belgian Cup winners finish in the top two.
  • In case two or more teams finish with equal points after the Championship Playoff, the first tiebreaker will now be the finishing position during the regular season.
  • The disciplinary record (number of yellow cards) will now be erased for all players after conclusion of the regular season. Any suspensions already obtained will be kept. In addition, during the playoffs, players will now pick up a one match ban already after three yellow cards, rather than five as during the regular season.

The first two of these rules were implemented as compensation for the rule that halves the points obtained during the regular season prior to the start of the championship playoff. This rule had been subject to complaints from several teams that had been leading after the regular season in recent seasons. The third rule was introduced to prevent players from intentionally receiving yellow cards near the end of the regular season. This tactic aimed to ensure they would be suspended before the playoffs, particularly against weaker teams, allowing them to start the deciding playoffs with a clean disciplinary record.

Team changes

Teams

Stadiums and locations

class=notpageimage|
Location of the 2015–16 Belgian Pro League teams
ClubLocationVenueCapacity
AnderlechtAnderlechtConstant Vanden Stock Stadium21,000
CharleroiCharleroiStade du Pays de Charleroi14,000
Club BruggeBruggeJan Breydel Stadium29,042
GenkGenkCristal Arena24,956
GentGhentGhelamco Arena19,999
KortrijkKortrijkGuldensporen Stadion9,399
LokerenLokerenDaknamstadion9,560
MechelenMechelenAFAS-stadion Achter de Kazerne13,213
Mouscron-PéruwelzMouscronStade Le Canonnier10,571
OostendeOstendAlbertpark8,000
Oud-Heverlee LeuvenLeuvenDen Dreef9,493
Sint-TruidenSint-TruidenStayen14,600
Standard LiègeLiègeStade Maurice Dufrasne28,278
Waasland-BeverenBeverenFreethiel Stadion8,190
WesterloWesterloHet Kuipje8,035
Zulte WaregemWaregemRegenboogstadion9,540

Personnel and kits

ClubManagerCaptainKit ManufacturerSponsors
Anderlecht Besnik Hasi Silvio ProtoadidasBNP Paribas Fortis
Charleroi Felice Mazzu Francisco MartosMAPSProximus
Club Brugge Michel Preud'homme Timmy SimonsNikeDaikin
Genk Peter Maes Thomas BuffelNikeBeobank
Gent Hein Vanhaezebrouck Sven KumsJartaziVDK Spaarbank
Kortrijk Karim Belhocine Nebojša PavlovićJakoAGO Jobs & HR
Lokeren Georges Leekens Killian OvermeireJartaziQTeam
Mechelen Aleksandar Janković Steven De PetterKappaTelenet
Mouscron-Péruwelz Glen De Boeck Noë DussennePatrickTrba
Oostende Yves Vanderhaeghe Sébastien SianiJomaWillems Veranda's
OH Leuven Emilio Ferrera Romain ReynaudVermarcJust Eat
Sint-Truiden Chris O'Loughlin Rob SchoofsKappaGolden Palace
Standard Liège Yannick Ferrera Adrien TrebelKappaBASE
Waasland-Beveren Stijn Vreven Miloš MarićKappaAims Tools
Star Casino
Westerlo Bob Peeters Filip DaemsSallerSoudal
Zulte-Waregem Francky Dury Mbaye LeyePatrickRecord Bank

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPositionReplaced byDate of appointment
Waasland-Beveren Guido BrepoelsContract not prolongedEnd of 2014–15 season[4]Pre-season Stijn Vreven29 April 2015[5]
Oostende Frederik VanderbiestReplaced by VanderhaegheEnd of 2014–15 season[6] Yves Vanderhaeghe11 May 2015[7]
Genk Alex McLeishResignedEnd of 2014–15 season[8] Peter Maes26 May 2015[9]
Kortrijk Yves VanderhaegheSigned by OostendeEnd of 2014–15 season[7] Johan Walem29 May 2015[10]
Lokeren Peter MaesSigned by GenkEnd of 2014–15 season[9] Bob Peeters3 June 2015[11]
Mouscron-Péruwelz Fernando Da CruzContract not prolongedEnd of 2014–15 season[12] Čedomir Janevski4 June 2015[12]
Standard Liège José RigaResignedEnd of 2014–15 season[13] Slavoljub Muslin5 June 2015[14]
Standard Liège Slavoljub MuslinSacked28 August 2015[15]8th Éric Deflandre (caretaker)28 August 2015[15]
Standard Liège Éric Deflandre (caretaker)Caretaker replaced7 September 2015[16]11th Yannick Ferrera7 September 2015[16]
Sint-Truiden Yannick FerreraSigned by Standard Liège7 September 2015[16]5th Chris O'Loughlin8 September 2015[17]
Lokeren Bob PeetersSacked24 October 2015[18]14th Georges Leekens25 October 2015[19]
OH Leuven Jacky MathijssenSacked24 November 2015[20]15th Emilio Ferrera26 November 2015[21]
Westerlo Harm van VeldhovenSacked25 November 2015[22]16th Bob Peeters26 November 2015[23]
Mouscron-Péruwelz Čedomir JanevskiSacked19 January 2016[24]15th Glen De Boeck20 January 2016[25]
Kortrijk Johan WalemSacked8 February 2016[26]9th Karim Belhocine8 February 2016[26]
Kortrijk Karim BelhocineBecomes technical director1 April 2016[27]9th Patrick De Wilde1 April 2016[27]

Regular season

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Club Brugge3021186430+3464Qualification for the Championship play-offs
2Gent3017945629+2760
3Anderlecht30151055129+2255
4Oostende3014795544+1149
5Genk30146104230+1248
6Zulte Waregem30127115150+143
7Standard Liège30125134151−1041Qualification for the Europa League play-offs
8Charleroi30109113639−339
9Kortrijk30109113135−439
10Mechelen30107134850−237
11Lokeren30810123540−534
12Waasland-Beveren3096154057−1733
13Sint-Truiden3086162847−1930
14Mouscron-Péruwelz3079143951−1230
15Westerlo3079143559−2430
16OH Leuven (R)3078154253−1129Relegation to First Division B
Source: Belgian Pro League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[28]
(R) Relegated

Positions by round

Note: The classification was made after the weekend (or midweek) of each matchday, so postponed matches were only processed at the time they were played to represent the real evolution in standings.

  • On matchday 16, the matches Lokeren - Anderlecht and Mouscron-Péruwelz - Charleroi were postponed due to increased safety measures following the November 2015 Paris attacks.[29] These matches were played on 22 and 23 December, between matchdays 20 and 21.[30]
Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Club Brugge1167363775656544221233222111111
Gent856248664223212112111111222222
Anderlecht411631222331323444442333333333
Oostende111112111112131333324444444444
Genk189496557444669677667666555555
Zulte Waregem1781154343565455555555555678676
Standard Liège1110478111315151516151113111299778777887767
Charleroi5451010131413989109989101310116888766898
Kortrijk510111314999810798877668812131010101010989
Mechelen1416131511101112141312121311131113111213101111111299101010
Lokeren1413149131410101214151415121213121011129999111211121211
Waasland-Beveren1091287788109108101010101112131013121313131313111112
Sint-Truiden533525436787776888991110121291112131413
Mouscron-Péruwelz111416161616161111111311121414141414141414151515151614151314
Westerlo81210121215151616161416161616161616161616161616161415161615
OH Leuven141515141512121413121113141515151515151515141414141516141516
Source: soccerassociation.com

Results

Home \ AwayANDCHABRUGNKGNTKVKOHLLOKKVMMOUKVOSTVSTAWBEWESZWA
Anderlecht2–13–10–01–13–03–21–01–12–01–11–03–33–22–13–0
Charleroi1–10–01–01–11–12–11–23–22–11–10–02–32–30–03–0
Club Brugge1–42–11–01–02–12–02–13–03–01–03–07–15–16–03–0
Genk0–02–03–20–11–03–10–23–10–44–13–03–16–12–12–1
Gent2–01–34–11–03–01–13–12–22–02–21–04–12–15–02–2
Kortrijk1–12–01–41–00–00–00–01–01–32–13–02–13–11–11–0
OH Leuven0–22–00–11–30–21–03–33–11–14–11–00–20–25–12–3
Lokeren1–1[a]2–20–10–01–23–11–22–01–20–11–10–21–22–11–1
Mechelen2–20–11–41–12–00–22–11–13–12–13–04–02–02–23–4
Mouscron-Péruwelz2–10–1[a]2–10–11–20–13–11–12–32–20–21–10–12–22–2
Oostende3–12–10–23–25–21–03–02–03–13–31–24–13–32–10–2
Sint-Truiden1–21–12–13–10–22–12–21–10–30–11–11–01–31–21–2
Standard Liège1–03–02–02–10–31–12–20–12–13–01–21–21–01–22–1
Waasland-Beveren1–00–11–20–11–32–12–22–30–03–31–52–10–02–22–1
Westerlo0–32–10–20–01–11–13–21–23–22–20–10–32–01–01–2
Zulte Waregem0–42–32–00–01–12–22–23–12–33–01–04–02–32–14–2
Updated to match(es) played on 13 March 2016. Source: Belgian Pro League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:

Championship play-offs

The points obtained during the regular season were halved (and rounded up) before the start of the playoff. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the playoff: Club Brugge 32 points, Gent 30, Anderlecht 28, Oostende 25, Genk 24 and Zulte Waregem 22.

Play-off table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationCLUANDGNTGNKOOSZWA
1Club Brugge (C)10712259+1654Qualification for the Champions League group stage—4–02–03–12–25–0
2Anderlecht106131516−147Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round1–0—2–01–02–12–0
3Gent103341015−542Qualification for the Europa League third qualifying round1–41–1—0–02–01–1
4Genk105142013+740Qualification for the play-off final4–25–21–2—4–02–0
5Oostende103251419−5360–14–20–12–1—3–3
6Zulte Waregem101271123−12270–21–24–21–21–2—
Source: Belgian Pro League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points without (possible) half points added due to rounding; 3) Matches won; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Away goals scored; 7) Away matches won; 8) Play-off.[31]
(C) Champions

Positions by round

Below the positions per round are shown. As teams did not all start with an equal number of points, the initial pre-playoffs positions are also given.

Team ╲ RoundInitial12345678910
Club Brugge11111111111
Anderlecht33222322222
Gent22333233333
Genk55444444444
Oostende44555555555
Zulte Waregem66666666666
Source: Soccerway

Europa League play-offs

Group A contains the teams finishing the regular season in positions 7, 9, 12 and 14. The teams that finish in positions 8, 10, 11 and 13 are placed in Group B.

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationKVKSTARMPW-B
1Kortrijk6420135+814Qualification for the play-off semi finals—1–00–05–0
2Standard Liège631285+310Qualification for the Europa League group stage[a]1–1—4–12–0
3Mouscron-Péruwelz612358−352–32–0—0–0
4Waasland-Beveren6114311−842–30–11–0—
Source: Belgian Pro League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[32]
Notes:

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationCHALOKKVMSTR
1Charleroi6321136+711Qualification for the play-off semi finals—2–24–01–1
2Lokeren6321127+5111–0—5–11–0
3Mechelen6213714−772–32–1—1–1
4Sint-Truiden603349−530–32–20–1—
Source: Belgian Pro League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Away matches won; 7) Play-off.[33]

Play off Semi finals

The winners of both playoff groups compete in a two-legged match to play the fourth-placed team of the championship play-offs, called 2015–16 Belgian Pro League#Play off final. The winner of this Testmatch was granted an entry to the second qualifying round of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.

Charleroi1–0Kortrijk
Perbet 90'Report
Attendance: 7,038
Kortrijk1–2Charleroi
Sarr 74'ReportPerbet 53'
Baby 90+4'
Attendance: 7,100

Charleroi won 3–1 on aggregate.

Play off final

The matches were played over two legs between the Europa League play-off final winners and the fourth-placed team of the championship play-offs. The winner qualified for the second qualifying round of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.

Charleroi2–0Genk
Baby 43'
Perbet 50'		Report
Attendance: 8,733
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
Genk5–1Charleroi
Karelis 20' (pen.), 56', 71'
Samatta 27'
Walsh 45+3'		ReportPerbet 40'
Attendance: 14,635
Referee: Wim Smet

Genk won 5–3 on aggregate.

Season statistics

Multiple goals in one match

Key
3Player scored three goals, completing a hat-trick.
4Player scored four goals.
*The home team
PlayerForAgainstGoalsMatch ResultDate
Igor de CamargoGenk*OH Leuven26' (1–0), 81' (3–1)3–125 July 2015
Maxime ChanotKortrijk*Standard Liège40' (1–0), 64' (2–1)2–125 July 2015
Jovan KostovskiOH LeuvenWesterlo*21' (0–1), 78' (3–2)3–28 August 2015
Knowledge MusonaOostende*Anderlecht3' (1–0), 89' (3–1, pen.)3–116 August 2015
Steeven LangilWaasland-Beveren*Mouscron-Péruwelz6' (1–0), 90+2' (3–3)3–322 August 2015
Laurent DepoitreGent*Mechelen49' (1–1), 90+3' (2–2)2–229 August 2015
Christophe LepointZulte WaregemOostende*42' (0–1), 68' (0–2)0–229 August 2015
Abdoulay Diaby 4Club Brugge*Standard Liège8' (1–0), 37' (4–1), 77' (6–1), 90+1' (7–1)7–130 August 2015
Cyriac 3OostendeWaasland-Beveren*34' (0–2, pen.), 48' (0–3), 52' (0–4)1–512 September 2015
Thomas MattonGent*Standard Liège62' (3–1), 90' (4–1)4–120 September 2015
Tuur DierckxClub Brugge*Waasland-Beveren40' (1–0), 46' (3–0)5–120 September 2015
Mbaye LeyeZulte Waregem*Westerlo42' (2–1), 49' (3–1, pen.)4–225 September 2015
Sven Kums 3Gent*Club Brugge15' (1–0, pen.), 51' (2–0, pen.), 62' (3–0)4–14 October 2015
Benjamin De CeulaerWesterloStandard Liège*9' (0–1), 44' (0–2)1–217 October 2015
Yohan CroizetOH LeuvenLokeren*3' (0–1), 73' (0–2)1–217 October 2015
Stefano OkakaAnderlechtZulte Waregem*14' (0–1), 52' (0–3)0–418 October 2015
Sofiane HanniMechelen*Zulte Waregem35' (2–1), 66' (3–3)3–424 October 2015
Mame ThiamZulte WaregemMechelen*16' (1–1), 70' (3–4)3–424 October 2015
Yohan BoliSint-Truiden*Kortrijk48' (1–1), 52' (2–1)2–125 October 2015
Fernando CanesinOostende*Genk27' (1–0), 35' (2–0)3–227 October 2015
Abdoulay DiabyClub Brugge*OH Leuven41' (1–0), 69' (2–0)2–028 October 2015
Andy NajarAnderlecht*Mouscron-Péruwelz51' (1–0), 90+3' (2–0)2–01 November 2015
Frédéric GounongbeWesterloWaasland-Beveren*43' (0–1), 58' (0–2)2–27 November 2015
Jérémy PerbetCharleroiGent*23' (0–1), 61' (1–3)1–38 November 2015
Sven KumsGent*Westerlo68' (4–0, pen.), 77' (5–0)5–020 November 2015
Idrissa SyllaAnderlecht*OH Leuven39' (2–1), 68' (3–2)3–229 November 2015
Jelle VossenClub BruggeMechelen*66' (1–1), 73' (1–2)1–429 November 2015
Jovan KostovskiOH Leuven*Westerlo9' (1–0), 24' (2–0)5–15 December 2015
Marko ŠćepovićMouscron-PéruwelzKortrijk*15' (0–1), 84' (1–3)1–312 December 2015
Frédéric GounongbeWesterlo*Charleroi41' (1–1), 70' (2–1, pen.)2–119 December 2015
Dennis PraetAnderlechtClub Brugge*35' (0–2), 90+3' (1–4)1–420 December 2015
Knowledge MusonaOostende*Standard Liège31' (2–1), 50' (3–1)4–120 December 2015
Laurent DepoitreGent*Anderlecht10' (1–0), 89' (2–0)2–017 January 2016
Ivan SantiniStandard LiègeLokeren*56' (0–1), 65' (0–2)0–217 January 2016
Siebe SchrijversWaasland-BeverenOostende*7' (0–1), 17' (1–2)3–317 January 2016
Lior RefaelovClub Brugge*Lokeren12' (1–1), 28' (2–1)2–131 January 2016
Frank AcheampongAnderlechtMechelen*18' (1–1), 70' (1–2)2–25 February 2016
Nick ProschwitzSint-TruidenStandard Liège*43' (1–1), 60' (1–2)1–27 February 2016
Nikos KarelisGenk*Waasland-Beveren9' (1–0), 26' (2–1, pen.)6–113 February 2016
Hans VanakenClub Brugge*Westerlo25' (2–0), 71' (4–0)6–019 February 2016
Thanasis PapazoglouKortrijk*Sint-Truiden17' (1–0), 51' (3–0)3–020 February 2016
Anice BadriMouscron-Péruwelz*OH Leuven88' (2–1), 90+3' (3–1)3–120 February 2016
Michiel JonckheereOostende*Gent13' (1–1), 54' (4–2)5–221 February 2016
John BostockOH Leuven*Oostende27' (1–0, pen.), 56' (3–0)4–127 February 2016
Yohan CroizetOH Leuven*Oostende29' (2–0), 59' (4–0)4–127 February 2016
Thibault MoulinWaasland-BeverenCharleroi*48' (1–1, pen.), 90+3' (2–3, pen.)2–328 February 2016
CyriacOostende*Charleroi77' (1–1), 83' (2–1, pen.)2–15 March 2016
Nicolas VerdierMechelen*Standard Liège15' (2–0), 42' (3–0)4–013 March 2016
Sofiane HanniMechelen*Standard Liège12' (1–0), 78' (4–0)4–013 March 2016
Sofiane HanniMechelen*Charleroi77' (1–3), 85' (2–3, pen.)2–316 April 2016
Jelle VossenClub Brugge*Zulte Waregem75' (4–0), 86' (5–0)5–023 April 2016
Hervé KageKortrijk*Waasland-Beveren28' (2–0), 37' (4–0, pen.)5–023 April 2016
Jérémy PerbetCharleroi*Mechelen25' (2–0), 81' (4–0)4–023 April 2016
Yassine El GhanassyOostende*Anderlecht45+1' (3–0), 81' (4–1)4–224 April 2016
Hamdi HarbaouiLokerenCharleroi*6' (0–1), 8' (0–2)2–229 April 2016
Jérémy PerbetCharleroi*Lokeren12' (1–2), 90+4' (2–2)2–229 April 2016
Hervé KageKortrijkMouscron-Péruwelz*52' (1–1), 73' (1–2)2–37 May 2016
Julian MichelMouscron-Péruwelz*Kortrijk4' (1–0), 83' (2–2)2–37 May 2016
Hamdi Harbaoui 4Lokeren*Mechelen25' (1–0), 53' (3–0), 73' (4–1), 83' (5–1)5–17 May 2016

Notes

References

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