
Union Saint-Gilloise wins Belgian first division after 90 years
Promise David scored twice and Franjo Ivanovic added another to help the small Brussels club secure its first league title since 1935.
Union entered the final round of the championship play-offs with a one-point lead and after near misses in the past three seasons.
In 2022 and in 2024, Union led the regular season standings but then faded in the play-offs to let Club Brugge take the title. The 2023 title race had a dramatic ending when a helicopter carrying league officials and the trophy had to turn away from Union's tiny Joseph Marien Stadium.
Only Union and Brugge were in title contention on Sunday. Brugge drew 1-1 with Antwerp to finish in second place, three points behind.
Union had a slow start to the season under new coach Sébastien Pocognoli, after more sales of star players for eight-figure fees. Led by goals from David, Union moved up to third in the regular season standings.
Union surged with a run of five shutouts, including a 1-0 win at Brugge on April 24, to go to the top of the standings for the first time.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Lassana Diarra Asks 65 Million Euros From FIFA, Belgian FA As 'Compensation For Damage Caused'
Last Updated: Ex-France player Lassana Diarra seeks €65M from FIFA and Belgian FA over transfer rules deemed against EU law by CJEU. His lawyer expects a decision in 12-15 months. Former France international Lassana Diarra is seeking 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian football association as part of a long-standing legal dispute, announced his lawyer on Monday. Diarra's challenge to FIFA led the world football's governing body to revise its transfer rules following a landmark legal ruling last year, but he has yet to reach a settlement. His lawyer, Martin Hissel, stated the claim seeks 'compensation for damage caused by FIFA rules" on transfers, which the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) deemed contrary to European law last October. 'Following a ruling by the CJEU, in the absence of an amicable solution, it is natural to return to the national courts so that they can implement the CJEU ruling," Hissel said in a statement. 'That is what we are doing today, on the basis of a very clear ruling by the CJEU, which has settled all the essential legal points. The Belgian courts should deliver their decisions within 12 to 15 months." The CJEU found in October that FIFA rules hinder the free movement of players by 'imposing considerable legal risks, unforeseeable and potentially very high financial risks, as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them," thereby disrupting the transfer system. At the Belgian courts' request, the Luxembourg-based CJEU examined Diarra's case, who contested the conditions of his departure from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow ten years ago. In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra's contract, citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian club also sought 20 million euros compensation from him. Diarra refused and demanded Lokomotiv pay him compensation, but the now 40-year-old was eventually ordered by FIFA to pay his former club 10 million euros, a fine upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra also received a backdated 15-month suspension. As a result, Belgian club Charleroi ultimately decided not to sign the midfielder, fearing the obligation to pay part of these penalties, in line with FIFA regulations examined by the CJEU. Following the CJEU ruling, FIFA announced last December it had adopted an 'interim regulatory framework" regarding player transfers. 'I waited a few months before restarting the national proceedings in Belgium, thinking that, particularly following the efforts of FIFPRO Europe (the European players' union), FIFA and the Belgian football association would at least have the decency to contact me to propose an amicable settlement of the dispute (this was, in fact, the tone of the messages I received from FIFA)," said Diarra in a statement. 'This was not the case. It is their right, but it reflects a persistent culture of contempt for the rule of law and for players, despite the very clear message sent by the CJEU. 'To my great regret, we will therefore once again have to go before the judges, as I have no other choice." Capped 34 times by France, Diarra also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and Real Madrid before ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : FIFA football Lassana Diarra view comments Location : Paris, France First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
FIFA faces $76M claim from Lassana Diarra over long-running transfer case
Lawyers for the 40-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder cited unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA for the financial claim for damages throughout his career. AP Eupen (Belgium) Lawyers for former France international Lassana Diarra said Monday he is claiming 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian soccer federation after a landmark legal win about transfer rules. Diarra's decade-long challenge to FIFA after a breakdown in relations with his former club Lokomotiv Moscow led to a ruling at the European Union's top court last October that some aspects of soccer's transfer rules do not comply with the 27-nation bloc's labor and competition laws. Lawyers for the 40-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder cited unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA for the financial claim for damages throughout his career. Lassana Diarra is claiming 65 million gross (35 million net) in compensation from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association, his legal firm Dupont Hissel said in a statement. FIFA was approached for comment about the latest high-stakes legal challenge to its authority. Diarra's case, which is back in court in Belgium, is supported by the global players' union FIFPRO, its European division and their national member union in France. The legal case started in the home country of Charleroi, the Belgian club that wanted to sign Diarra after his contract in Moscow was terminated. FIFA transfer rules at the time made the player and the potential signing club liable for paying the former club when a contract was ruled to have been broken without just cause. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld FIFA's ruling in favor of Lokomotiv. The case was sent to the European court which said the FIFA rules hinder the free movement of players and competition between clubs. Diarra's dispute with Lokomotiv and FIFA forced him to miss the 2014-15 season. He then signed for Marseille and ended his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years ago. I am doing this for myself, Diarra said in a statement Monday published by his lawyers. And if I have been able to hold out against the FIFA steamroller, it is because I had a good career. But I have also done it for all the up and coming, lesser known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges, he said. Diarra's lawyers also are working on a class action suit filed this month against FIFA and some national soccer federations in Europe which claims could benefit 100,000 players over more than two decades. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
Man United turn attention towards two new transfer targets as Liverpool set Isak deadline: Report
Liverpool have set a deadline for Newcastle to seal the Alexander Isak deal, while Manchester United have set a target to sign two new players including a former goalkeeper. Man United and Liverpool are in a hurry to complete their transfer targets as window would close at the end of August. Images: Reuters The Premier League clubs are busy with the new season, which kicked off this past weekend, but major clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United remain extremely busy in the transfer window as they aim to add more reinforcements to their squads. Defending champion Liverpool opened the new season with a , in which new signing Hugo Ekitike scored the opening goal for them. Man United, meanwhile, lost their opening game to Arsenal on Sunday, but new signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were the . To strengthen the squad further, United are reportedly trying to sign a defender and a new goalkeeper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Man United want De Gea back? Altay Bayindir was United's goalkeeper in the match against Arsenal and it was his mistake that allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score the only goal of the match. United are now planning to bring David De Gea back to the club, as per The Sun. The 34-year-old former United goalkeeper is currently at Fiorentina after his released from United after 12 years in 2023 by former manager Erik ten Hag. De Gea reportedly has a small release clause that Man United may trigger. More from Football The Red Devils are also monitoring Brentford skipper Nathan Collins. The 24-year-old can play as a centre-back or full-back and the Daily Mail says United are interested in signing him. Liverpool set Isak deadline The Daily Mail further added that Liverpool are also planning to sign Collins as they feel they still need defensive reinforcements. But Liverpool will only sign Collins if they fail to land Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also decided that they 'won't forever' for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old Swedish Isak has been a top priority for Liverpool, but as per Belgian journalist Sacha Tovalieri, the Reds have now set a deadline of this week. If they fail to sign Isak by this week, then they will turn their attention towards other players.