The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has imposed a historic point deduction on Vitesse for violating licensing regulations, marking a significant setback for the club.
Despite spending over three decades in the top tier of Dutch football, Vitesse faces relegation following allegations of providing false information regarding potential sanctions violations.
With only four games left in the season and the team already struggling at the bottom of the Eredivisie due to financial issues, the prospect of relegation seemed imminent. Although Vitesse has submitted a reorganization plan to the KNVB, its approval remains pending.
The club has been hit with an unprecedented 18-point deduction, leaving them with -1 points in the league standings.
Edwin Reijntjes, the interim general manager, has acknowledged the inevitability of the penalty, describing it as a dark day for Vitesse.
In an official statement, Reijntjes expressed gratitude for the opportunity to retain the club’s license, despite the challenging circumstances.
He emphasized the importance of Vitesse’s new direction, highlighting the licensing committee’s confidence in the club’s future.
While acknowledging the severity of the situation, Reijntjes reaffirmed Vitesse’s commitment to moving forward positively.
He emphasized the club’s determination to persevere despite the setback, emphasizing that Vitesse should not and cannot cease to exist.
Despite the harsh penalty imposed by the licensing committee, Vitesse has opted not to appeal the decision.
This decision reflects the club’s acceptance of the consequences and its willingness to focus on addressing the underlying issues moving forward.
In recent years, Vitesse has enjoyed some success on the European stage, notably reaching the round of 16 in the Europa Conference League in 2022.
However, their campaign ended with a defeat to Roma, the eventual champions.
Vitesse has also established a partnership with Chelsea during Roman Abramovich’s ownership tenure.
This partnership has seen Chelsea players frequently loaned to Vitesse to aid in their development, further highlighting the club’s connections within the footballing community.
