Criminal benefactors linked to drug-related organised crime invest criminal money in sports clubs with
the aim of gaining status, prestige and power in the local community. This phenomenon has already
been studied in the international literature, with Dutch studies being particularly familiar with it. However,
Belgian research into this phenomenon, specifically within sports clubs, has not yet taken place.
The aim of this study is therefore to explore criminal benefactors in the Belgian context using quantitative (survey) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data. In this study, we focus on criminal benefactors in Antwerp sports clubs linked to drug-related organised crime. The results show that criminal benefactors are present in Antwerp sports clubs, particularly in combat sports clubs. These individuals exert influence in various ways depending on their level of involvement in these sports clubs.