Lommel SK receives €23 million, a gamble for the Jupiler Pro League

City Football Group, parent company of Manchester City, has just injected €23 million into Belgian club Lommel SK, which plays in the Jupiler Pro League. This injection, carried out via the conversion of debt into equity, brings the total contributions since 2022 to nearly €100 million.

Capital injection and mechanism

The €23 million operation was formalised in the Belgian Official Gazette, where it is stated that it results from the conversion of existing debt into shares. According to the daily De Tijd, this is the sixth injection of this type since the group began supporting the club. The published figures confirm that the total capital now reaches €98.8 million.

City Football Group has held a majority stake in Lommel SK since 2020, fitting into an international network where Manchester City remains the flagship. The group is controlled by an entity linked to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and vice‑president of the United Arab Emirates. Thus, the additional funds indirectly originate from the Middle East.

These contributions have enabled the Limburg‑based club to reach several sporting milestones. Last season, Lommel SK secured its promotion to the Jupiler Pro League via the final round, fulfilling the project of reaching the highest level of Belgian football. The financial support is presented as a key pillar of this success.

Controversies and legal proceedings

In 2023, Excelsior Virton lodged a legal claim, arguing that Lommel SK benefited from an unfair advantage thanks to the support of City Football Group. The complaint alleged that the funds could constitute illegal state aid, calling into question the fairness of competition in Belgium.

The arbitration body Cepani found no evidence that foreign subsidies distorted the internal market and dismissed the complaint. Despite this dismissal, Excelsior Virton also filed a complaint with the European Commission, denouncing allegedly unfair competition exercised by clubs financed with state funds.

The new capital increase confirms that City Football Group continues to financially support Lommel SK. With nearly €100 million injected since 2022, the magnitude of this backing remains exceptional for a Belgian club, highlighting the growing influence of foreign investors in the Jupiler Pro League.