The Belgian Football Association is to launch an investigation into Royal Antwerp’s recent 2-1 defeat by St Truiden after it was alleged that the winning team received money from Charleroi.

“I officially received a complaint from Royal Antwerp,” Belgian FA lawyer Rene Verstringhe told Reuters.

“The rules of our FA are very clear,” he added.

“There is falsification of the competition if players receive money from another club to play well and here Royal Antwerp allege that players from St Truiden received money from Charleroi.

“I must stress the fact that even if I had received no complaint from Antwerp I would have taken action because there had been public comments by Royal Antwerp players about a possible falsification of the game.

Charleroi are third from bottom in the 18-team first division and must win their final match at home to Mons-Bergen to avoid relegation.

For their part, Royal Antwerp lie bottom of the league but could also stay up with victory on Saturday if other results go their way.