Royal Charleroi S.C.

Belgian professional football club

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Football club

Sporting Charleroi

Full name| Royal Charleroi Sporting Club
Nickname(s)| Les Zèbres (The Zebras),
Les Carolos
Founded| 1 January 1904; 121 years ago (1904-01-01)
Ground| Stade du Pays de Charleroi
Capacity| 15,000[1]
Chairman| Fabien Debecq[2]
Managing Director| Mehdi Bayat
Head coach| Rik De Mil
League| Belgian Pro League
2024-25| Belgian Pro League, 10th of 16
Website| www.sporting-charleroi.be

Home colours

Away colours

|

Current season

Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, often simply known as Charleroi or Sporting Charleroi, is a Belgian professional football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League. Their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football started in the 2012–13 season. Charleroi was founded in 1904 and they first reached the first division in 1947–48. Their highest finish was runner-up in the 1968–69 season. They have also twice reached the Belgian Cup final, losing in 1977–78 to Beveren and in 1992–93 to Standard Liège.

Sporting Charleroi have a long-standing rivalry with their crosstown rival ROC de Charleroi-Marchienne, currently playing in the third division. Charleroi play their home matches at the Stade du Pays de Charleroi, which was refurbished for the UEFA Euro 2000. The stadium hosted 3 group stage games in the Euro 2000 among which the 1–0 victory of England against Germany. Charleroi have been recruiting several French players in recent years, including Michaël Ciani, Cyril Théréau and goalkeeper Bertrand Laquait.

## History

[edit]

Charleroi Sporting Club was founded in 1904 and they received the matricule n°22. Twenty years after their foundation, they qualified to play in the Promotion (then the second level in Belgian football) and in 1929, the club changed its name to Royal Charleroi Sporting Club. Rivals from Olympic Charleroi were playing in the first division in the late 1930s and the 1940s, while Sporting Charleroi was playing one level down, until they promoted in 1947. In 1949, Sporting Charleroi finished 4th (2 points behind Standard Liège) whereas Olympic Charleroi was 14th. But Olympic took the lead again until 1955 and their relegation to the second division. At the end of the 1956–57 season, Olympic Charleroi had promoted to the first division but Sporting Charleroi finished last in the first division and was thus relegated to the second division. A spell of 9 seasons in the second division followed and in 1966–67 Sporting Charleroi was back at the top level. They finished at the second place in 1968–69 5 points behind Standard Liège but within two years they were relegated again.

In 1974 the first division was changing from 16 to 20 teams and Sporting Charleroi was chosen to play at the top level. Olympic Charleroi promoted too as they had won the second division right before but they remained at the top level for just one season. Sporting underwent a new relegation in 1979–80 (17th on 18) but was back five years later. Their best result since then in the first division is a 4th place in 1993–94. In September 2005, the G-14 took FIFA to court over the eight-month injury incurred by Abdelmajid Oulmers whilst on international duty with Morocco.

## Colours and badge

[edit]

Characters Boule et Bill as Charleroi-supporters

The colours of Charleroi are black and white with a shirt generally striped, which led to the team being nicknamed The Zebras.

## Stadium

[edit]

Stade du Pays de Charleroi

Main article: Stade du Pays de Charleroi

The current ground was baptized in 1939 with a match Sporting-Union du Centre and it was located near the coal mine named Mambourg. In 1985 the stadium was slightly modernized as the club had qualified for the first division. It was then heavily renewed in the late 1990s in view of the 2000 European Football Championship. The name changed on 24 May 1999 from Stade du Mambourg to Stade du Pays de Charleroi. During the tournament, the full capacity of the stadium was up to 30,000 seats. The Stade du Pays de Charleroi hosted notably the match between Germany and England. The highest stand was eventually reduced and the capacity is now 15,000.[3]

## Honours

[edit]

* Belgian First Division
* Runners-up: 1968–69
* Belgian Second Division
* Winners: 1946–47, 2011–12
* Runners-up: 1965–66
* Belgian Second Division play-offs
* Winners: 1985
* Belgian Cup
* Runners-up: 1977–78, 1992–93

## European record

[edit]

### UEFA club competition record

[edit]

Correct as of May 2016

Competition  | Played  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA

|
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UEFA Cup | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 3
UEFA Intertoto Cup | 10  | 3  | 3  | 4  | 11  | 11
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 8  | 5
UEFA Europa League | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 9  | 7
TOTAL | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 30 | 26

### Matches

[edit]

Match won  | Match drawn  | Match lost

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Season  | Competition  | Round  | Club  | Home  | Away  | Aggregate

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1969–70 | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | 1R |  Zagreb | 2–1  | 3–1  | 5–2
2R |  FC Rouen | 3–1  | 0–2  | 3–3 (a)
1994–95 | UEFA Cup | 1R |  Rapid București | 2–1  | 0–2  | 2–3
1995 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | Group 10 |  Beitar Jerusalem | —  | 1–0  | 3rd
Bursaspor | 0–2  | —
FC Košice | —  | 2–3
Wimbledon | 3–0  | —
1996 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | Group 4 |  Silkeborg IF | 2–4  | —  | 3rd
Conwy United | —  | 0–0
Zagłębie Lubin | 0–0  | —
SV Ried | —  | 3–1
2005 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | 2R |  Tampere United | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–1
2015–16 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q |  Beitar Jerusalem | 5–1  | 4–1  | 9–2
3Q |  Zorya Luhansk | 0–2  | 0–3  | 0–5
2020–21 | UEFA Europa League | 3Q |  Partizan | 2–1 (aet)  | —  | —
PO |  Lech Poznań | 1–2 | —  | —
2025–26 | UEFA Conference League | 2Q |  Hammarby IF |  |  |

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 26 June 2025[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

4  | DF |  SYR | Aiham Ousou
5  | MF |  FRA | Etienne Camara
7  | FW |  BEL | Isaac Mbenza
8  | MF |  CIV | Parfait Guiagon
10  | FW |  NOR | Jakob Napoleon Romsaas
15  | DF |  NOR | Vetle Dragsnes
17  | MF |  BEL | Antoine Bernier
19  | FW |  SRB | Nikola Štulić
21  | DF |  CYP | Stelios Andreou
22  | MF |  ALG | Yassine Titraoui
24  | DF |  BEL | Mardochee Nzita
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

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|
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28  | FW |  GHA | Raymond Asante
29  | DF |  SVN | Žan Rogelj
30  | GK |  CIV | Mohamed Koné
33  | GK |  BEL | Théo Defourny
55  | GK |  BEL | Martin Delavallée
56  | MF |  MAR | Amine Boukamir
60  | GK |  BEL | Nicolas Closset
66  | MF |  BEL | Noam Mayoka-Tika
95  | DF |  FRA | Cheick Keita
98  | DF |  MTQ | Jeremy Petris
—  | FW |  FRA | Freddy Mbemba
—  | FW |  BEL | Antoine Colassin

### On loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

—  | FW |  ALG | Nadhir Benbouali (at Győr until 30 June 2025)
—  | FW |  BEL | Anthony Descotte (at Utrecht until 30 June 2025)
—  | DF |  MAR | Mehdi Boukamir (at Pafos until 30 June 2025)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

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|

—  | FW |  HAI | Mondy Prunier (at Francs Borains until 30 June 2025)
—  | FW |  BEL | Youssuf Sylla (at Willem II Tilburg until 30 June 2025)
—  | FW |  PLE | Oday Dabbagh (at Aberdeen until 30 June 2025)

### Retired numbers

[edit]

Main article: Retired numbers in football

11 – Has been retired in honor of club legend Dante Brogno since July 2001, his retirement.

### Zebra Elites (Second team)

[edit]

As of 6 February 2025[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

39  | DF |  FRA | Massamba Sow
40  | MF |  BEL | Aaron Balongo
41  | MF |  BEL | Tristan Hermans
42  | MF |  BEL | Thomas Lutte
43  | MF |  BEL | Quentin Benaets
44  | MF |  FRA | José Capon
45  | MF |  MAR | Bilal El Ouazrhari
46  | MF |  POL | Matias Pruszko
47  | MF |  BEL | Lucas Delperdange
49  | FW |  BEL | Yoan Apo
50  | DF |  BEL | Robin Denuit
51  | MF |  BEL | Mory Kera
52  | MF |  BEL | Maxime Lonreiro
53  | DF |  BEL | Axel Debast
55  | GK |  BEL | Martin Delavallée
56  | MF |  MAR | Amine Boukamir
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

57  | DF |  BEL | Dylan Deves
58  | GK |  BEL | Ugo Decerf
59  | DF |  BEL | Yann Sikorski
60  | GK |  BEL | Nicolas Closset
62  | FW |  BEL | Nathan Okumu Monkoy
64  | GK |  BEL | Kenny Omekoko
65  | DF |  BEL | Rafaël Teugels
66  | MF |  BEL | Noam Mayoka-Tika
67  | FW |  BEL | Alexandre Stanić
77  | DF |  BEL | Jason Dalle Molle
79  | FW |  COD | Arthur Inaka
81  | DF |  MAR | Naïm Marzouk
82  | MF |  BEL | Sacha Miantezila
83  | FW |  BEL | Ahmed Mulumba
88  | MF |  FRA | Soudeysse Kari

## Club officials

[edit]

Position  | Staff

|

President |  Fabien Debecq
Chief commercial officer |  Walter Chardon
Managing director |  Mehdi Bayat
Head coach |  Rik De Mil
Assistant coach |  Rudi Cossey
Frank Defays
Goalkeeper coach |  Cédric Berthelin
Fitness coach |  Frédéric Renotte
Strength & conditioning coach |  Antoine Huguenot
Sébastien Delacroix
Video analyst |  Amaury Smits
Data analyst |  Pierre Neuchâteau
Head physio |  Benjamin Tubiermont
Doctor |  Dr.Clément Lepeuple
Physiotherapist |  Lilian Scarlata
Tristan Blyckaerts
Frédéric Vanbelle
Masseur |  Frédéric Chandelle
Head of education |  Christophe Dessy
Kitman |  Baptiste Collier
Delegate |  Arnaud Charlier
Performance Manager |  Rudger Van Snick

## Coaches

[edit]

* Jiří Sobotka (1968–69)
* Lukas Aurednik (1969–71)
* Léopold Anoul (1974–75)
* Jean-Paul Colonval (1975–76)
* Aimé Anthuenis (1 July 1987 – 30 June 1989)
* Georges Heylens (1990–92)
* Luka Peruzović (1 July 1991 – 30 June 1992)
* Robert Waseige (1 July 1992 – 30 June 1994)
* Georges Leekens (1 July 1994 – 30 July 1995)
* Luka Peruzović (1 August 1995 – 30 June 1997)
* Robert Waseige (1 July 1997 – 1999)
* Luka Peruzović (1999 – 8 December 1999)
* Raymond Mommens (1999–00)
* Manu Ferrera (2000)
* Enzo Scifo (2001–02)
* Dante Brogno (November 2002 – 3 October 2003)
* Robert Waseige (15 October 2003 – 26 April 2004)
* Jacky Mathijssen (26 April 2004 – 30 June 2007)
* Philippe Vande Walle (1 July 2007 – 10 December 2007)
* Thierry Siquet (11 December 2007 – 9 December 2008)
* John Collins (15 December 2008 – 30 June 2009)
* Stéphane Demol (2009)
* Jacky Mathijssen (2009)
* Stéphane Demol (1 July 2009 – 1 November 2009)
* Tommy Craig (20 November 2009 – 14 April 2010)
* Jacky Mathijssen (1 July 2010 – 20 September 2010)
* Csaba László (23 September 2010 – 17 March 2011)
* Zoltan Kovacs (interim) (24 March 2011 – 4 April 2011)
* Luka Peruzović (4 April 2011 – 30 June 2011)
* Jos Daerden (1 July 2011 – 26 September 2011)
* Tibor Balogh (27 September 2011 – 22 February 2012)
* Mario Notaro (interim) (23 February 2012 – 5 March 2012)
* Dennis van Wijk (5 March 2012 – 12 June 2012)
* Yannick Ferrera (14 July 2012 – 14 February 2013)
* Luka Peruzović (interim) (14 February 2013 – 13 March 2013)
* Mario Notaro (interim) (March 2013 – 13 April 2013)
* Felice Mazzu (1 June 2013 – 3 June 2019)
* Karim Belhocine (1 July 2019 –30 June 2021)
* Edward Still (1 July 2021 -22 October 2022)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Het Stade du Pays de Charleroi Archived 17 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine sporting-charleroi.be (last check 30 March 2018)
2. ^ "Fabien Debecq nouveau président du Sporting de Charleroi". RTL Sport. RTL Belux S.A. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
3. ^ Het Stade du Pays de Charleroi Archived 17 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine sporting-charleroi.be (last check 30 March 2018)
4. ^ "Équipes | RCSC". R. Charleroi S.C. - Web Oficial. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
5. ^ "Zebra Elites". Retrieved 1 May 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Charleroi Sporting Club.

* "Sporting de Charleroi" (in French)., official website
* "Sporting de Charleroi". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
* Charleroi SC at EUFO.de
* Charleroi SC at Weltfussball.de
* Charleroi SC at National Football Teams.com
* Charleroi SC at Football-Lineups.com

* v
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Royal Charleroi Sporting Club

* Players
* Managers

Stadia|

* Stade du Pays de Charleroi

Seasons|

* 2014–15
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

Belgian Pro League

Seasons|

* 1895–96
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* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
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* 2013–14
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* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs|

| 2025–26 clubs|

* Anderlecht
* Antwerp
* Cercle Brugge
* Charleroi
* Club Brugge
* Dender EH
* Genk
* Gent
* La Louvière
* OH Leuven
* Mechelen
* Sint-Truiden
* Standard Liège
* Union SG
* Westerlo
* Zulte Waregem

|

Former clubs|

| Active|

* Beerschot
* Berchem
* Beveren
* Crossing Schaerbeek
* Eendracht Aalst
* Eupen
* Kortrijk
* Léopold Club Bruxelles
* Olympic Charleroi
* Patro Eisden Maasmechelen
* Racing Bruxelles
* Racing Gand
* Racing Jet Bruxelles
* Racing Mechelen
* RFC Liège
* RWDM (2015)
* Seraing (1922)
* Tienen
* RUS Tournai
* Tubantia
* Tubize
* Turnhout

|

Defunct|

* ASV Oostende
* Beerschot AC
* Beerschot VAC
* Beringen
* KSK Beveren
* Boom
* Athletic Club Bruxelles
* Daring Bruxelles
* Excelsior Bruxelles
* FC Bruxelles
* Olympia Bruxelles
* Skill Bruxelles
* Sporting Bruxelles
* Diest
* Edegem
* Germinal Beerschot
* Harelbeke
* Hasselt
* Heusden-Zolder
* Ixelles
* La Forestoise
* RAA La Louvière
* Lierse
* Lokeren
* Lommel
* Lyra
* Mons
* Montegnée
* Excel Mouscron
* Excelsior Mouscron
* Oostende
* Roeselare
* RWDM (1909)
* Seraing (1904)
* Sint-Niklaas
* Stade Leuven
* Tilleur
* Tongeren
* RRC Tournai
* Uccle
* Verbroedering Geel
* Verviétois
* Waregem
* Waterschei

Statistics and awards|

* Teams
* Champions
* Top scorers
* Current managers
* Professional footballer of the Year
* Golden Shoe
* Ebony Shoe
* Lion Award

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template