Standard Liege defeated Mechelen 2 - 0 on Saturday to cement their hold on first position in the Jupiler League standings.

Nigeria international Imoh Ezekiel registered his 10th goal of the season in the 84th minute but was subsequently booked by the referee for pulling off his shirt, his fifth caution this term.

There are speculations that the attacker deliberately picked up the yellow card on purpose in order to get suspended for the final game of the regular season against Waasland-Beveren next weekend so he enters the play - off round with all his cards wiped off.

But the Belgian Football Union in its ruling on Tuesday decided not to suspend the Nigerian for a match, meaning the Federation is not recognizing the yellow card he picked up last weekend.

Imoh Ezekiel has been cautioned 8 times in all competitions this season compared to the 3 yellow cards he received in the 2012 - 2013 campaign.