Vercauteren resigned after embarrassing defeats by Spain (5-0) and Armenia (2-1), having been in the post only since April this year. The three doctors, meanwhile, laid out three reasons for their decision:

• The behaviour of members of the team. “Things took place which are just out of order,” Rogiers told De Morgen.

• Pressure of work. Sometimes the pool of players would go up to 28, each with his own particular requirements. “Sometimes we were forced to work until after midnight”.

• Insufficient support from football authorities. The medical team did not clear Jelle Van Damme to play for Anderlecht against Sint-Truiden, but the decision was taken by association secretary-general Jean-Marie Philips.

The national football association declined to react to the medical staff’s letter but promised to find replacements as soon as possible. Critics attacked the association’s refusal to engage with the criticisms, and their apparent lack of concern at the loss of what one editorialist called “three people of extraordinary integrity”. Above all, the national team is losing a vast amount of experience: Dr Goossens has been a team doctor for 26 years; Harry Heyndrickx has worked for the association for 32 years, while Stanny Rogiers has nine years’ experience.