The Belgian Football Association has reportedly launched an investigation over the mysterious disappearance of penalty spots from the stadiums of nine lower league clubs.
According to Metro.co.uk, the concerned clubs, KSV Sottegem, Eendracht Grotenberge, KFC Herzele, DT Borsbeke, OZ Bavegem, Eendracht Elene, VC Ressegem, SK Vlierzele and Eendracht Houtem, are all from the Vlaanderen region of Belgium and have all reported at least one disappearance recently.
The report further said that KFC Herzele is the most affected among all the clubs as it had four corner flags and a centre circle also stolen along with the penalty spots.
The report mentioned that the gaps left by the removal of the turf have left the surface uneven, following which many players have been injured after stumbling on them while training.
The Belgian FA believe that the sections of grass have been deliberately taken, in order to try and jeopardise the new season for the clubs involved, with the report adding that the investigation into the incidents is going on.