Vitesse Arnhem secures a dramatic reprieve as an appeals court overturns the KNVB’s decision to revoke their professional license. The club, facing expulsion due to financial irregularities and links to Roman Abramovich, is now reinstated into the Dutch league, sparking celebrations among supporters and offering a chance for a fresh start after a tumultuous period.
In a stunning reversal of fortune, Vitesse Arnhem has been granted a reprieve, with an appeals court overturning the Royal Dutch Football Association’s (KNVB) decision to revoke their professional license. This unexpected victory breathes new life into the 133-year-old club, which faced imminent expulsion from the Netherlands’ professional ranks.
Last month, a civil court in Utrecht sided with the KNVB, seemingly sealing Vitesse’s fate and condemning them to the amateur leagues. Supporters had begun to resign themselves to a season in the wilderness, with no clear path forward. However, Wednesday’s dramatic turnaround has sparked jubilant celebrations among fans and players alike.
The Arnhem-Leeuwarden court of appeal’s decision followed a hearing on Monday, where experts had given Vitesse a mere 1% chance of success. The court suspended the KNVB’s licensing committee and appeals committee's decision to withdraw the license and ordered the governing body to immediately reinstate Vitesse to professional competitions.
News of the ruling sent shockwaves through Arnhem, igniting wild celebrations in the city center and at the club’s training ground. Susanne Wichhart, chair of the Vitesse supporters’ association, expressed her elation to the Guardian, describing the situation as a “rollercoaster.”
This latest twist marks another chapter in a long, complex saga that led to Vitesse losing their license due to what the KNVB deemed a “multi-year pattern of deception, circumvention, and undermining of the licensing system, as well as a lack of transparency.” During the 2023-24 season, Vitesse were docked 18 points, resulting in their relegation to the second tier. Further point deductions compounded their woes, leaving them at the bottom of the division last season.
British fans may recall Vitesse’s close ties with Chelsea, which saw numerous players loaned to the Dutch club throughout the 2010s. Notable names like Mason Mount and Armando Broja gained valuable experience during their time in Arnhem. The KNVB’s latest investigation into Vitesse was triggered by a 2023 report by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which revealed leaked documents suggesting that Roman Abramovich had secretly bankrolled the club for years while simultaneously owning Chelsea.
An attempted takeover by American businessman Coley Parry was subsequently blocked by the KNVB. Despite a local consortium, Sterkhouders, formulating a plan to save the club, the KNVB deemed their proposal insufficient to prevent Vitesse’s expulsion.
Now, Vitesse faces the challenge of rebuilding and re-entering a second division season that is already underway. The logistics of their reinsertion remain uncertain, with a potential restart date of September 12 or 13. However, the immediate priority is assembling a competitive team, as many senior players departed during the period of uncertainty. One key figure who has remained loyal is former Manchester United defender Alexander Büttner, the team’s captain.
Büttner expressed his relief and commitment to the local newspaper De Gelderlander, stating, “I have goosebumps all over. People have worked so hard for this. I’ve seen so much pain in recent weeks. I always said I wasn’t leaving Vitesse. I could have gone to 10 other clubs, which were concrete. But I thought: ‘I’d rather quit football than leave now.’”
Looking ahead, Vitesse must gain KNVB approval for their restructuring plan and reach an agreement with the governing body regarding the club’s long-term sustainability. However, for the time being, Vitesse is cleared to compete, providing much-needed “breathing room and perspective,” according to Michel Schaay, the chair of Sterkhouders.
The future of Vitesse Arnhem looked bleak just weeks ago. Now, fans and players alike can prepare for a fresh start to the season and the opportunity to restore pride in the club.