Belgian football federation elects 1st female president

Board appoints Pascale Van Damme as replacement for departing Paul Van den Bulck, who resigned after less than 1 year in charge

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Belgian football federation elected Pascale Van Damme as its first female president Monday.

"It gives me great confidence that the entire RBFA board and the board of directors want to turn the page together and continue to build the future of the RBFA with united forces," Van Damme said in a statement, referring to the Royal Belgian Football Association, the federation’s official name.

"I am reaching out to the RBFA board, the board of directors, the Pro League, Voetbal Vlaanderen and the Association des Clubs Francophones de Football to join me in writing a bright future for the Red Devils, the Red Flames and the hundreds of thousands of other footballers, fans and members we represent. Better Together!" she added.

The RBFA board appointed Van Damme as the replacement for the departing Paul Van den Bulck, who resigned after less than one year on duty.

Roberto Martinez, 49, quit as Belgium’s manager on Dec. 2 last year after their exit from the 2022 Qatar World Cup at the group stage.

In February, Belgium named Domenico Tedesco as the new head coach to replace Martinez.

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