Charleroi’s ten‑point lead overshadows missed penalty in Walloon derby
Jean‑Marc Ghéraille, editorialist and media convergence manager, points to the forgotten penalty as the most glaring incident of the Walloon derby, but the real story is Charleroi’s ten‑point cushion over Standard. The oversight, involving referee M. Bourdeaud'hui and the VAR, denied Standard a potential late point that might have softened the gap.
Penalty controversy and VAR involvement
The referee, a native of Audenarde, failed to award a clear penalty despite VAR assistance. Ghéraille asks how such an error could occur, noting that the missed spot‑kick was "as big as a house" and could have allowed Standard to snatch a point in the dying minutes.
He adds that the incident reflects a broader issue of officiating standards, with the VAR’s complicity raising questions about decision‑making consistency in the league.
Charleroi’s superiority in the standings
Beyond the single moment, Charleroi now sits clearly as the leading Walloon club, holding a ten‑point advantage over Standard. Ghéraille stresses that mathematically the lead is undeniable, even if popular sentiment still lags behind.
The Belgian side’s recent “cheap” transfer activity, a contract extension for their coach, and a solid start to the season have cemented their status as a top‑tier team, whereas Standard has slipped back to a median position despite a patient fanbase.
Standard’s recent European‑play‑off format, which previously reshuffled the table, no longer offers the same safety net, making the points gap even more significant.
Both clubs agree that playing behind closed doors offers little excitement; Standard’s captain described the atmosphere as feeling “like a youth match”.
Ghéraille concludes that Standard’s search for new investors, following the 777 Partners saga, remains a difficult path, with the Croky Cup representing the only realistic shortcut to success.
The derby’s lack of spectators on Sunday highlighted Standard’s inability to galvanise the crowd, reflected in a record of zero points from nine home games and eleven points from twenty‑four overall.