Mike Van der Roest appointed Belgium VAR chief from July

Mike Van der Roest will take over as the head of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in Belgium on 1 July, succeeding Alexandre Boucaut. Boucaut, who has overseen the Belgian VAR programme since 2024 alongside Kevin Blom, is stepping down after a tenure that followed his retirement from refereeing in 2023.

Alexandre Boucaut, a former referee who officiated 210 matches in the Belgian first division in 2023, ended his on‑field career that year. He then assumed the VAR manager role in 2024, a position he will vacate at the end of the current season.

Kevin Blom, who worked with Boucaut on the VAR project, departed the Professional Referee Department in April 2025. His exit was for a comparable role in England, leaving Boucaut as the sole VAR leader before the upcoming change.

Mike Van der Roest, a Dutch national, previously served as a VAR specialist for the Dutch football association. He also contributed his expertise to FIFA, positioning him as an experienced figure to guide the Belgian VAR system.

The Belgian football federation expects Van der Roest to drive new developments within the VAR framework. His appointment signals a strategic shift aimed at enhancing decision‑making accuracy in Belgian matches.

Separately, following incidents in the cup final, Anderlecht supporters will not be admitted to the upcoming away fixture against city rivals Union. The ban applies to the next season’s match, reflecting disciplinary measures beyond the VAR changes.