“Devastated” Vitesse loses final appeal to keep professional license

The judge ruled that both the KNVB's licensing committee and its appeals committee had acted correctly and reasonably in withdrawing the license. The KNVB said Vitesse had for years evaded and undermined the licensing system, showing “no improvement” despite repeated opportunities, broadcaster NOS reported.

“Vitesse got chance after chance after chance but did not take them,” the KNVB's lawyer told the court during Thursday's emergency hearing.

Vitesse had argued it now meets the licensing requirements, pointing to a takeover by local investors operating under the name De Sterkhouders.

But the judge said the case concerned past violations, not the club's current financial plans. “That Vitesse says it can now meet the requirements does not undo the fact that the rules were breached in the past,” the court said.

The KNVB has described the violations as a “multi-year pattern of deception, evasion, and undermining of the licensing system” that was “structural, serious, and persistent.”

Last year Vitesse were deducted a total of 39 points for breaching their licensing terms and finished bottom of the 20-club first division with five points. Without the penalties they would have ended the season in 14th place.

The decision means Saturday's scheduled match against Almere City has been canceled and leaves the first division with 19 clubs.

In a statement, Vitesse said it is “devastated” by the verdict. “What the future brings is unclear,” the statement said. “The club is exploring options and continues to talk to stakeholders to safeguard football in Arnhem.”