Vitesse Wins Appeal, Returns to Professional Football
Vitesse wins appeal against KNVB, provisionally regains professional license. Get the latest updates on the club's future.
“There has been a pattern of deception, circumvention and undermining of the licensing...”
Vitesse, a former Eredivisie club, has won its appeal against the revocation of its professional football license. The Arnhem court ruled in favor of Vitesse, allowing the club to provisionally regain its license. This decision comes after the KNVB revoked Vitesse's license in June due to financial irregularities.
Background of the License Revocation
The KNVB's decision to revoke Vitesse's license was based on the club's failure to meet financial requirements. Vitesse had been struggling with financial issues, and the KNVB had previously deducted points from the club due to licensing regulation breaches. The club's financial struggles led to a change in ownership, with a group of investors attempting to take over and restructure the club's debt.
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— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) September 3, 2025
Although Vitesse has provisionally regained its license, the club's future still depends on the outcome of proceedings on the merits. The court's decision was based on the fact that the procedures for revoking the license were not followed carefully enough. This temporary victory allows Vitesse to continue playing professional football for now.
A recent court decision has suspended the rulings of the KNVB and civil court, pending a definitive verdict in the case involving Vitesse. This unexpected turn of events has given Vitesse a glimmer of hope, despite initial odds being heavily against them.
Specialized sports law lawyers had given Vitesse a mere 1% chance of winning this case. However, the court's decision to suspend the previous rulings has essentially leveled the playing field, allowing Vitesse to continue their pursuit of a favorable outcome. The details of the case and the court's reasoning behind the suspension are yet to be fully disclosed.
While the outcome of the case remains uncertain, this development could have significant implications for Vitesse and the sports industry as a whole. The suspension of the KNVB and civil court rulings may impact the trajectory of the case, potentially altering the fate of the parties involved.
The recent court verdict allows Vitesse to compete in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie again, providing temporary relief for the club. Although several players left on free transfers and parts of the organization were dismantled following the collapse, the ruling offers a glimmer of hope. “This ruling gives us breathing space and perspective,” said Michel Schaay, chairman of ownership group De Sterkhouders, on the club's website. This development may help stabilize the club and potentially pave the way for its future revival.
“We are extremely pleased that the Court recognises the severity of the situation and has suspended the rulings. We remain fully committed to the future of Vitesse. We will now enter into discussions with the KNVB to ensure that Vitesse and its stakeholders make the right decisions.”
Vitesse has made significant strides in future-proofing and recovering the club after years of mismanagement. The club is set to appoint a new, independent supervisory board, a move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making processes. Additionally, Vitesse has initiated an external investigation into prospective shareholders, a step that will help verify the credibility and financial stability of potential investors.
After a rocky start to the season, Vitesse has had to miss crucial games against formidable opponents like Almere City, FC Den Bosch, ADO Den Haag, and De Graafschap. However, the team is gearing up for their next challenge - an away match against Jong AZ on Friday, September 12th. With their sights set on a strong performance, Vitesse will look to bounce back and make a statement in the league.
Months of Uncertainty for Vitesse
The KNVB's decision to revoke Vitesse's license in July followed months of uncertainty for the club. The football association's independent committee found that Vitesse “structurally evaded the licensing system” in previous years, justifying the revocation of the club's license. According to the committee's report, “there has been a pattern of deception, circumvention and undermining of the licensing system over several years, as well as a lack of transparency.” This ruling marked a significant setback for Vitesse, casting doubt on the club's future in professional football.
Vitesse took their case to civil court in an effort to save the club's future, challenging the KNVB's decision to revoke their license. The court's decision would determine whether the KNVB's action was just and conscientious.
In the summary proceedings, the judge ruled in favor of the KNVB, stating that the football association had applied the licensing rules correctly. This decision upheld the revocation of Vitesse's license, leaving the club's future uncertain. However, Vitesse continued to pursue further legal action, leading to their recent appeal.
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