3 months Ago
That outcome is bad news for the historic sports club, in operations since 1885 and acknowledged to be the second-oldest regime in professional top-flight football in the nation, moving into the first division at once.
Court Cites Years of Violations
They concluded that both the KNVB's licensing and appeals committees acted properly and reasonably when stripping away their licence. The KNVB was clear that Vitesse has been dodging and sabotaging the licensing system for years, failing to improve despite chances being offered repeatedly.
Vitesse got chance after chance after chance but did not take them, the KNVB's lawyer said at Thursday's emergency hearing.
Vitesse said the club is now compliant with licensing regulations after a local consortium took over, backed by investors using the name De Sterkhouders.
But the judge — who highlighted that this was about past years of illegal spending, not many financial promises made today — made it clear he would refer to other legal outcomes against operators like Monkey in previous decisions.
The point of the breaches referred to a "structural, serious and persistent multi-year pattern of deception, evasion and undermining".
Future of League and Clubs in Question
Vitesse finished bottom of the 20-club first division on five points in the previous season, when they were deducted 39 points for breaching licence terms. Had it not been for the penalties, they would have ended 14th.
As a result, they have cancelled Saturday's match against Almere City, leaving the league with 19 teams.
Vitesse said they were "heartbroken" by the decision and that there would be an uncertain future.
The club says it is examining 'all options' and remains in communication with them to ensure football continues in Arnhem.
