Charleroi’s opening Jupiler Pro League clash against Oud-Heverlee Louvain (OHL) has been pushed back to Sunday, August 9 at 16:00 CET. The original fixture on August 8 was moved by the Belgian Pro League due to security concerns surrounding Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s planned visit to Charleroi. The club currently sits sixth in the Jupiler Pro League with zero points after zero matches played this season.

What happened?

The Pro League announced the postponement on Tuesday afternoon, citing extra police resources needed for Meloni’s visit to Charleroi on August 8—marking the 70th anniversary of the Bois du Cazier mining disaster. The rescheduled match now kicks off at 16:00 on August 9. Earlier this year, Italian EU Commissioner Raffaele Fitto’s visit to the UCampus in Charleroi drew hundreds of protesters. Mayor Thomas Dermine confirmed additional security measures ahead of Meloni’s potential arrival.

Is Meloni’s visit confirmed?

The City of Charleroi and Bois du Cazier denied on Tuesday evening that Meloni’s attendance on August 8 has been officially confirmed. Both institutions stated they are in contact with the Italian embassy or consulate, but no confirmation has been received yet. Colette Ista, director of Bois du Cazier, said: "If Giorgia Meloni comes, I hope it goes smoothly, with the 262 victims of the disaster and their families as the priority."

What does this mean for Charleroi?

The postponement directly impacts Charleroi’s season opener. The club currently sits sixth in the Jupiler Pro League with zero points after zero matches played. The OHL clash was set to launch their campaign, but they now face a delayed start. Extra security could also disrupt stadium logistics and training schedules.

The Pro League also shuffled fixtures for the sixth matchday of the Challenger Pro League. Hasselt vs Beerschot and Eupen vs Liège swapped dates: Hasselt-Beerschot kicks off on September 19 at 16:00, while Liège-Eupen follows at 20:00 the same day.

What’s next for Charleroi?

Charleroi now prepares for a delayed season launch with the rescheduled OHL match on August 9. The club has not yet announced updated training or match schedules, but priorities include security coordination for Meloni’s potential visit. Their next planned league fixture remains a trip to Cercle Brugge on February 13, 2027.