Vitesse Arnhem, a historic Dutch football club, has lost its professional licence for the second time in under a year, as announced by the Royal Dutch Football Association on May 20, 2025. This decision bars the 133-year-old club from professional competitions in the 2025-26 season, pushing it closer to bankruptcy. The revocation stems from ongoing financial struggles, including failure to submit a balanced budget, maintain a bank account, or secure an auditing accountant, despite KNVB extensions. Vitesse faced a temporary licence loss in June 2024, reinstated after an appeal, but unresolved debts, reportedly around 19 million euros, led to the latest sanction.
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Relegated from the Eredivisie in April 2024 after an 18-point deduction for licensing breaches, Vitesse’s woes deepened in the Eerste Divisie with a 21-point penalty in November 2024, leaving them with negative 26 points. Investigations into financial ties with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who allegedly funneled over 117 million euros in loans, added scrutiny. The club, once a 35-year Eredivisie mainstay and a 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League participant, now faces an uncertain future.
Vitesse plans to appeal the KNVB’s decision, with interim director Edwin Reijntjes vowing to fight for the club’s survival. Fans have raised 500,000 euros through crowdfunding, but without a sustainable financial plan, the club risks folding, mirroring Belgian club Mouscron’s 2022 collapse. An appeal could delay the outcome, with potential court action if unsuccessful. This marks a steep fall for Vitesse, founded in 1892 and the Netherlands’ second-oldest club, highlighting the severe consequences of financial mismanagement in professional football. The outcome of their appeal will determine whether Vitesse can reclaim their place or face oblivion.
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