Ex-Anderlecht Boss Van Holsbeeck in Black Money Scandal

Former RSC Anderlecht manager Herman Van Holsbeeck (71) has admitted to systematically exchanging 500-euro black money notes at self-scan checkouts of a Delhaize supermarket and a car wash over several years, according to an exclusive investigation by Het Laatste Nieuws. The revelations, published days before Van Holsbeeck’s trial over the sale of RSC Anderlecht, have sent shockwaves through Belgian football and cast a fresh spotlight on the sprawling “Operatie Propere Handen” corruption investigation.

The Black Money Scheme

Between 2014 and 2017, Van Holsbeeck and his wife regularly withdrew envelopes of 500-euro notes from their bank vault and used them to make small purchases at the Delhaize supermarket in Alsemberg and a car wash in Anderlecht, receiving smaller denomination notes as change. According to VoetbalBelgie, Van Holsbeeck’s wife testified that the European Central Bank’s announcement that it would phase out the 500-euro note — often called the “Bin Laden” banknote due to its use in criminal transactions — prompted the couple to begin systematically exchanging the large bills.

“Herman was afraid those notes would no longer be allowed,” she told investigators, as cited by HLN. “We went to the vault regularly to get an envelope of 500-euro notes. We kept them at home in a cupboard and used the money to eat out, both in Belgium and Spain.”

Van Holsbeeck admitted to buying small items at the self-scan checkout three to four times per week, always paying with 500-euro notes. At the car wash, where he had his and his wife’s cars washed weekly for approximately 11 euros, he would tip staff who allowed him to pay with the large denomination.

The Bank Vault Discovery

On December 28, 2018, investigators opened Van Holsbeeck’s safe deposit box — vault 560 — at BNP Paribas Fortis in Sint-Genesius-Rode. Inside, they found 21 thick envelopes containing €201,250 in cash, including nearly 3,000 fifty-euro notes. Van Holsbeeck’s wife testified that their original vault had become “too small for all those exchanged banknotes,” forcing them to rent a larger one.

Van Holsbeeck claims the cash came from Constant and Roger Vanden Stock, father and son who served as successive chairmen of Anderlecht. According to his testimony, between 2003 and 2010, he received envelopes containing at least €35,000 several times per year — always in 500-euro notes — as gifts from the Vanden Stock family, particularly around New Year or when Anderlecht qualified for the Champions League.

The 200-Euro Note Discrepancy

Investigators have cast doubt on Van Holsbeeck’s explanation. Among the seized cash were 17 two-hundred-euro notes printed in Berlin in 2012 — two years after Van Holsbeeck claims the payments from the Vanden Stocks stopped. Roger Vanden Stock states the last envelope was given in 2008, making it impossible for those notes to have come directly from the family.

Van Holsbeeck’s lawyer, Alexandre Wilmotte, maintains his client’s position. “That investigation is still ongoing,” Wilmotte told HLN. “It is therefore not correct to conclude that my client is not telling the truth.” Roger Vanden Stock has refused to testify, citing health reasons, leaving a significant gap in the defense’s case.

The Crown Witness: Dejan Veljkovic

The cash discovery was part of “Operatie Propere Handen” (Operation Clean Hands), the largest football fraud investigation in Belgian history. Launched in late 2017 and made public on October 10, 2018, the operation involved 184 police officers conducting 44 simultaneous raids across Belgium at clubs including Anderlecht, Club Brugge, KRC Genk, Standard Liège, and others.

Serbian agent Dejan Veljkovic became a crown witness (“spijtoptant”) in exchange for immunity — the first such arrangement in Belgian legal history, approved by a court in November 2021. Veljkovic testified that he paid Van Holsbeeck illegal commissions for four transfers totaling approximately €181,000 in cash, clothing, and luxury watches.

According to Veljkovic’s testimony, the payments included: two envelopes of €25,000 each for the transfer of Milan Jovanovic; €35,000 for striker Dalibor Veselinovic; €20,000 cash plus Rolex watches worth €30,000 for the transfer of Sofiane Hanni; and 19 custom-made Zegna shirts worth €16,000 for the Obradovic transfer.

Van Holsbeeck denies ever accepting cash from Veljkovic, though he acknowledges receiving “relationship gifts.” “I am not a perfect human being,” he told investigators.

The Mogi Bayat Rolex

Perhaps the most damaging evidence against Van Holsbeeck involves a Rolex watch from agent Mogi Bayat. A WhatsApp message sent from Van Holsbeeck’s phone on November 22, 2017, read: “Good evening Mogi, I have just opened my gift. The watch is magnificent. From the bottom of my heart: thank you.”

Despite sending the message himself, Van Holsbeeck denied receiving a Rolex from Bayat through six interrogations. Only during his seventh interrogation did he confess, claiming the watch was “stolen in Nigeria.” It was later found during a search of his vacation home in Spain.

Upcoming Trial and Broader Implications

Van Holsbeeck faces trial on May 28-29, 2026, in Brussels regarding the 2017 sale of RSC Anderlecht to businessman Marc Coucke, who claims he was defrauded of millions. According to Sporza, the trial was postponed from February to allow for additional document review. Coucke is seeking €5 million in damages, while the club itself is claiming €3 million.

Van Holsbeeck has also admitted to backdating a Leander Dendoncker contract so that agent Christophe Henrotay would receive a €2 million commission. The federal prosecutor has indicated it wants Van Holsbeeck brought to trial in the main Propere Handen case, while many other football figures — including Club Brugge chairman Bart Verhaeghe and manager Vincent Mannaert — have already reached settlements.

Questions of Timing

Some media commentators have raised questions about the timing of HLN’s exclusive investigation, published just days before the Coucke trial begins. P-Magazine noted that much of the information was already known from the years-old Propere Handen investigation, suggesting the timing may be strategically intended to influence public opinion.

What’s Next

The Coucke trial hearings are scheduled for May 28-29, with debates on the merits on June 4-5. The main Propere Handen trial date has not yet been set. The scandal has severely damaged the reputation of Belgian football, revealing systemic corruption involving agents, managers, and club officials — and highlighting the role of cash payments and luxury gifts in facilitating illegal transfer commissions.

As Van Holsbeeck prepares to face both the Coucke trial and the broader Propere Handen proceedings, the question remains whether Roger Vanden Stock will eventually be compelled to testify, and what impact these revelations will have on RSC Anderlecht’s already-tarnished legacy.