John Chapman

On and off the Belgian beat since 1999. World Soccer, Telegraph, WSC & more. Interviewed a teenage Kompany & a relaxed Sir Alex. Pic ©RBFA

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

1/2: I've written about Belgian football since they were ranked 66th by FIFA. I interviewed a teenage Kompany and convinced him he could make it, chewed the fat with Philippe Albert about the greatest Belgian XI of all -time, waited 45 minutes for Sir Alex at Carrington and I ...

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

@campbellclaret @BBCNews Big item on BBC Radio 4 news at 22.00 last night.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Bit more from Kevin. He says four games in 10 days is a bit too much after a hard season. It's asking for trouble, but he won't ask to be rested. Added that he feels all 32 members of the squad will play, otherwise they would be there instead of going on holiday 🙂 #NEDBEL

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Ahead of Belgium-Netherlands on Friday, Eden Hazard told the media that he will retire from the national team after the World Cup if he can't get back to full fitness next season.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

@Tom___Scott will certainly listen

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

@Tom___Scott @BBCPolitics @TheGreenParty Excellent post and quite right.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Burgess is in his second season at Union, they were second division champions last year. He lives in Antwerp but is moving to Brussels to get more involved in the city where he plays, and to join his girlfriend. Burgess has a degree in History.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Union SG play Club Brugge twice in the next four days (today in Brussels, Wednesday in Brugge). The outcome of the two games will almost certainly decide who wins the title. There's always a twist of course - if the two clubs finish equal on points, Club Brugge will be champions.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Interesting guy playing centre back for Union SG. Christian Burgess is English with a touch of Scottish blood, and he played for several clubs in England. Most notably for Portsmouth - almost 200 games - but he started at the Arsenal academy.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

That's because Union will lose the half point they gained when the points were halved before the playoffs (77 divided by 2, became 39). Union currently lead by three points (43 to 40) and have not won the league since 1935.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

On Sunday, Union SG travel to Antwerp and Club Brugge play Anderlecht. Union have a three point lead at the top, ahead of a period in May (8-11) when Union and Club Brugge meet home and away, and the championship will be decided.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Love it

[Gary Lineker @GaryLineker]

Beautiful

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

@Luke_FFF Hi Luke, we met in a previous life in Antwerp, when I was freelancing for the MEN. Any chance I could DM you about an idea I have, cheers, John

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

First games of the Belgian Championship Playoffs went with form. Club Brugge defeated Antwerp 1-0, while Union beat Anderlecht 3-1. Union's third victory against their Brussels rivals this season. Kompany admitted the best team won and he found it difficult to take.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

It's Playoff time in Belgium, and Union Saint-Gilloise are leading the pack. https://t.co/GDDS22eBUP

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

@BenScherp Maybe but not often starting with Milan. And over the two games, I feel Foket edged it. Certainly defensively.

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

With Belgium's group opponents to be announced tomorrow, here's a look at some of the players hoping to break into Martinez's squad. https://t.co/2nDeScnl99

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Januzaj will be playing at Anderlecht's ground, where he came through the academy. He never played for the first team there, moving to Manchester United aged 16. #belbfa

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Belgium's side to meet Burkina Faso: Union St Gilloise's Siebe Van der Heyden makes his debut. Chances for Wolfsburg's Seb Bornauw and Real Sociedad's Adnan Januzaj. #BELBFA

[Belgian Red Devils @BelRedDevils]

1️⃣1️⃣ 💪 Tonight’s boys. 🇧🇪 #SelectedbyPwC #BELBFA #DEVILTIME

[John Chapman @BelgoFoot]

Strasbourg keeper Matz Sels, who had a brief spell at Newcastle United, will start his first game for Belgium tonight aged 30. Belgium play Burkina Faso at Park Astrid, Anderlecht.