1998–99 Belgian First Division


The 1998–99 season of the Jupiler League was held between August 21, 1998, and May 16, 1999. Racing Genk became champions.

Promoted teams

These teams were promoted from the second division at the start of the season:

Relegated teams

These teams were relegated to the second division at the end of the season:

Genk's title success

After a deceiving start of the competition Anderlecht managed to come back at the top of the ranking under the management of Jean Dockx and Franky Vercauteren even beating its long-time rival Standard Liège in a memorable 0-6 demonstration. Two matches before the end of the season, the ranking was as such:
PosTeamPldPts
1.Genk3270
2.Brugge3268
3.Anderlecht3264

Those three teams were thus still able to win the championship. While Club Brugge lost its game to Mouscron 2-0, Anderlecht secured a 2-5 win to Genk. However the Racing did win its last match at Harelbeke and it thus became champion.

Battle for Europe

With Genk qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Anderlecht and Brugge entered the UEFA Cup.

The relegation dog fight

Lommel avoided relegation by winning its last match 2-1 to Charleroi while the newcomer Kortrijk lost to Anderlecht. The other newcomer was already relegated at this moment.

Final league table


Attendances

No.ClubAverage attendanceChangeHighest
1Anderlecht20,891-2,2%25,485
2Genk14,21133,7%17,000
3Standard de Liège13,2659,7%25,000
4Club Brugge12,284-3,3%26,000
5Mouscron7,7003,0%8,500
6Lierse7,435-8,4%12,000
7STVV7,088-4,0%14,000
8Gent7,066-3,1%9,000
9Westerlo6,182-2,1%10,500
10Eendracht Aalst5,794-17,0%9,000
11Lokeren5,6006,4%10,000
12Harelbeke5,6008,2%8,500
13Lommel5,559-14,9%12,500
14Kortrijk4,78070,0%9,000
15Charleroi4,565-25,0%7,000
16Beveren4,559-17,3%8,500
17Germinal Ekeren4,000-18,6%8,000
18Oostende3,96823,8%10,000

Source: