The Sport Committee of the Belgian FA have rescinded the red card which Frederik Frans received towards the end of the Lierse-Waasland match on 02-Feb. On the basis of tv pictures which Lierse produced (from 2 different tv channels), it was judged that Frans was not at fault.

During the notorious scuffle, referee Boelens handed out 4 red cards. The 3 Waasland players (Rey, Cvitkovic & Soares) received a 4-week ban, 1-week ban, and an acquittal respectively.

Charlie Miller’s case for his red card on 09-Feb against Virton was also reviewed by the Sport Committee at the same sitting. Not such good news for the Scot, the FA’s proposal for an amicable settlement was, after a plea from Miller, confirmed as a 3-match ban. Miller can appeal against the decision, but there has been no decision taken yet over whether to appeal.

 Herman Helleputte accepted his 2-match punishment for his sending off during Virton-Lierse

1. After the 3-1 victory vs Ostend, Lierse.com has collated some news snippets.

• The most noteworthy guest on the Lisp on Saturday evening was Ahmed Hassan.

The Anderlecht playmaker , who won the African Cup of Nations 2 weeks ago with Egypt, was invited to attend this match by Maged Samy. Hassan’s two sons train with Wadi Degla football school (watch the footage of the visit of Egypts superstar Ahmed Hassan. )

• A few other famous faces on the Lisp Saturday evening, ex-Lierse trainer René Trost, cartoonist and Ostend board member Kamagurka, and Marc Coucke (CEO Omega Pharma).

• Lierse’s top scorer Mustapha Jarju received his third yellow card of the season against Ostend. After a push from Stassin, Jarju retaliated with a push, and both players received yellow. As a result, Jarju will miss the away game at O. Charleroi next Saturday.

• The opening goal was scored by Petar Bojovic, his first goal of the season.

Bojovic was visibly delighted with his goal: “Last week at Doornik I also came close, but today it came good. Many matches are decided on small details, and that’s why we practice set pieces at training. We now have many technical players who can take good free kicks and corners, so that with our aerial power we get more chances to score. If you look at the other results, we’ve made progress up the league, and we’re not out of the running for the play-offs.”

• Two assists came from Lorenzo Rimkus, the first was from a corner which led to Bojovic’s goal, the second from a free kick which lead to a headed goal from Jarju.

Rimkus: “I’m really pleased with my performance, although there’s always room for improvement. It’s notable that we scored three times from set pieces, but we have the players to do that. It didn’t go too well in the first half, but in the second half we played some good football at times.”

• After his place in the starting line up last week, Chris Janssens was back on the subs bench. Trainer Helleputte explained at the post-match press conference: “It was difficult to put Chris back on the bench, but he understood my decision. He said that if he had been Lierse trainer, he would have done the same. You saw today that he was able to make more of a difference, after he came on there was more fire in the match. His role is perhaps somewhat different, now that he won’t always come into contention for a starting place. For example, Chris leads the warm up before the match. Chris will remain of great importance to Lierse.” (The full interview with Helleputte can be seen on Lierse tv).

• Lierse had organized a youth promotion for this match. It was a success, the young supporters were given places in the O-section of the ground. The total attendance on Saturday was around 6,000.

• After the match as the players were leaving the field, Ostend player Pecqueux argued with the referee, who will no doubt include this in his match report.

• Two minor injuries to note after the game. Frans had a thigh problem, Miller a calf problem. Samir continues to train with the squad, Cavens is still following an individual training programme.

Lierse deservedly won 3-1 at home to KV Ostend on Saturday evening, thanks to goals from Bojovic, Miller & Jarju.

Not much happened in the opening 20 minutes, and there were only slight chances on goal. Ostend came for a point, Lierse applied pressure, but initially were unable to break through the defence.

Just before the half-hour mark came the first major chance, Ernandes laid the ball back to the unmarked Wahed, but he shot over. Just afterwards a good corner from Rimkus, Bojovic rose head and shoulders over everyone, and headed into the far corner, 1-0. Just before the break, a chance for Miller from a pass from Frans, but his shot was too weak.

In the second half Ostend tried to threaten, and Lierse were pushed back, without giving away any real chances on goal. On the hour mark, Janssens came on as sub, and reignited Lierse. In the space of three minutes, Lierse made it 3-0, Miller outwitted the keeper with a hard shot, and Jarju scored his 12th of the season with an accurate header. The tempo went out of the match, and Ostend were able to score a consolation goal after sloppy defending from Lierse. Final score 3-1.

Lierse travel to Olympic Charleroi next week.

On Lierse tv you can watch the highlights of the game, an interview with Mohamed Abdel Wahed, and footage of the visit of Egypts superstar Ahmed Hassan. 

For Saturday’s home match against Ostend, the technical staff keep the same squad selection as last week. After Friday nights reserve match, a 16th name will be chosen out from Develer, Omar, Weuts and Mertens.

Samir has recovered well this week from his hamstring injury, and was able to rejoin the squad, but is not yet 100% match fit. De Corte, Cavens & Peeters are still out injured.

The 15-man selection: Bojovic Petar, Buyens Yoni, De Witte Seth, Ernandes Bueno, Frans Frederik, Goris Nathan, Janssens Chris, Jarju Mustapha, Miller Charlie, Rimkus Lorenzo, Van der Jeugt Sven, Van der Zijl Jerome, Ventose Dries, Vleminckx Tim en Wahed Mohammed

On Saturday evening Lierse managed a goalless draw at Doornik. The returning Miller and Jarju were back in the starting line-up, Ernandes moved to the bench.

On a frozen pitch it was immediately obvious that good combination play would be difficult. The first half was very mediocre, Lierse only able to threaten sporadically. Miller shot straight at keeper Delwarte, Jarju shot straight at goal from a good scoring position, and Frans and Bojovic were just unable to score from a good pass from Rimkus. Doornik had the best chance just before halftime, Breleur headed from close range, Van der Jeugt saved at the second attempt.

The second half was of a bit better quality, but the play remained sloppy. Many bad passes and loss of possession on both sides.  After 53 mins Jarju outpaced 2 defenders, but was unable to beat Delwarte in goal. Ernandes replaced Wahed, Lierse tried to turn up the pressure. De Witte shot just wide from a corner, Miller found himself alone in front of Delwarte, but saw his lob saved. It was Doornik who created the last good chance, but Van der Jeugt made a good save from an on-target header.

Everything but a heartwarming match, but given the chances, Lierse could have taken all three points. Next week Ostend come to the Lisp.

Highlights of the Doornik match, and an interview with Yoni Buyens can be seen on Lierse TV.