Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The city council is concerned about SKN’s financial troubles, which threaten 430 youth players’ futures. Council members Karim Benabdellah, Carl Verhulst, and Jos De Meyer warn of potential bankruptcy and legal actions if debts remain unpaid.
The city council is worried about football club SKN’s money problems. The club has not paid its €18,000 rent and has not kept its promises. Council members Karim Benabdellah and Carl Verhulst say the city may take legal action to get the money back. If the club does not pay, the city can take its property. The way the club manages its money raises concerns about its future. The city is ready to act if things do not improve.
Will SKN Sint-Niklaas secure a future for 430 youth players?
The city council is worried about the future of 430 youth players at SKN Sint-Niklaas. They mentioned that these players need the club for their growth and to play football. Council member Jos De Meyer thinks the club might go bankrupt because it has unpaid debts. He believes investors will not want to take over the club because of its money problems.
De Meyer mentioned that If the club goes bankrupt, the city must help the young players keep playing. He said that this meant moving them to other clubs or finding new ways for them to play. The council wants to protect these players from the club’s financial issues.
“The past teaches us that the current chairman will not pay off his debts and a takeover will also be a difficult story, given the financial situation of the club”,
Says De Meyer.
“If it comes to bankruptcy, we as a city must ensure that the youth players can continue to play football.”
SKN has had money and management problems for a long time. Recently, Voetbal Vlaanderen said SKN cannot play in interprovincial football next season. This is a big setback for the club. He mentioned that without this license, it would be harder to get young players and find money.
The problems at SKN became clear earlier this season when parents and youth coaches protested at city hall in October 2024. They wanted the chairman to step down because they were unhappy with the club’s management. One big issue was that the youth players did not receive their clothing, showing larger problems in the club.
Families and coaches were worried about SKN’s future and feared the money issues could stop their kids from playing football. Officials mentioned that the protest showed that many people no longer trusted the club’s leaders, and they believed that without big changes, SKN would struggle to survive.
