Latest news with #AlmereCity
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
AMSTERDAM :One of the Netherlands' oldest clubs, Vitesse Arnhem, lost a final bid to save their professional licence on Friday and were effectively kicked out of the league, sparking fan protests. The Central Netherlands Court rejected the club's appeal to overturn a decision by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to revoke their professional licence. Dutch media showed images of scuffles in Arnhem city centre as supporters gathered. One journalist was slapped, the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper reported, as anger was directed against media. The court upheld the KNVB decision after the football association said the club had circumvented and undermined the licensing system for years and had spurned repeated opportunities to regularise their affairs, including debt reported to be around 14 million euros ($16.3 million). The club, established in 1892, had been sanctioned last year and relegated to the Dutch second division because of financial irregularities, which the KNVB said included the absence of a bank account, the absence of a controlling accountant, and the fact that no conclusive budget could be provided. Vitesse were the first Dutch club to have foreign owners in 2010 when Georgian businessman Merab Jordania took over the club with Russian Valeriy Oyf becoming majority owner in 2018. The club's financial fortunes changed drastically after sanctions that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision means Saturday's scheduled match against Almere City has been cancelled and leaves the Dutch second division with 19 clubs. In a statement, Vitesse said they were 'devastated' by the verdict. 'What the future holds is unclear,' the statement said. 'The club is exploring options and continues to talk to stakeholders to safeguard football in Arnhem.' Vitesse, who were four-time runners-up in the Dutch league but never won the championship, will be forced to either continue as an amateur club or cease to exist. The Dutch league has two divisions, but there is no mandatory promotion and relegation between the second tier of the professional competition and the amateur ranks. 'The worst-case scenario has come true," said Arnhem's Alderman for Sports Affairs Bob Roelofs.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Judge rejects Vitesse appeal: club remains without a professional license
Vitesse received bad news from the court in Utrecht on Friday afternoon, as Voetbal International reports. The club attempted to regain its professional license through summary proceedings, but the court rejected their request. The KNVB's decision therefore stands, and Vitesse are temporarily banned from professional football. VI break down the events. The judge didn't address the merits of the case, but focused primarily on whether the KNVB had adhered to its own rules. According to the ruling, it had. The judge saw no reason to suspend the KNVB's appeals committee's decision. This means Vitesse are not allowed to play against Almere City on Saturday's season opener and are therefore still not part of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. This is a hard blow for the club, its supporters, and the city of Arnhem – with many fans showing up to the court proceedings. Vitesse had hoped for a final chance to secure its survival. The court acknowledged the social consequences but did not find the KNVB's decision unreasonable or negligent enough to warrant intervention. What exactly will happen to Vitesse remains unclear. Legal proceedings could still follow, but that often takes months. For now, Vitesse face significant uncertainty, without a license and without a league. A future in professional football seems further away than ever. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eredivisie End of Season Review: Heracles Almelo
Finish position: 14th Overview: Heracles matched their 2023/2024 season with another 14th place finish in the Eredivisie. The side had been pushing for play-off positions prior to their relegation in 2022, and perhaps they are now setting themselves up as a side that could do the same next season. This year they finished with more points than last year and were closer to a top nine placing. However, with the likes of RKC Waalwijk and Almere City going down, two of the weaker sides in the league are now gone, so they will have to be careful that they do not succumb to another relegation battle next season. Head coach Erwin van de Looi has kept them up twice but is leaving the club this summer. Advertisement Player of the season: Brian de Keersmaecker 25-year-old Belgian midfielder Brian de Keersmaecker was a standout performer for the side and was their official player of the season. In 31 games he scored fie goals and provided three assists. At the other end, his ability to protect the defence and win the ball back for the side was evident, as he was involved in more successful defensive actions than 82% of players in his position across the league (according to FotMob data). Young player of the season: Mimeirhel Benita On loan from Feyenoord, Benita had a more enjoyable season than last year when relegated with Excelsior. The full-back played 32 games for the side and provided one assist. However, he was decent defensively, with the 21-year-old completing more defensive actions than 94% of his fellow Eredivisie right-backs, while also winning more aerial duals than 77% of his league compatriots. Advertisement Summer needs: The side have already made one signing, with Tristan van Gilst coming in on a free from De Graafschap. They will have to be active again this summer with a number of loanees returning to their parent clubs. Strengthening at the back could also be a viable option, with Heracles having conceded 63 goals in 34 games, only one less than bottom of the table Almere City. It gave them the third worst defensive record in the league. Grade: B GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eredivisie End of Season Review: Almere City FC
Finish position: 18th Overview: Almere City suffered relegation this season, bringing to an end a two year stay in the Eredivisie. The side from just outside of Amsterdam had looked doomed for some time and with just four wins in 34 games they were by far the worst team in the league this season. With just 23 goals scored this season, it isn't hard to see where the problem lied for the team. Coupled with 64 goals shipped at the other end, the second worse in the Eredivisie this season, no fan of the side can be too surprised at this outcome. Alex Pastoor left the side as head coach in the summer, being replaced by Hedwiges Maduro. The former Ajax man won just one of his 16 games in charge before being replaced by Jereon Rijsdijk, who managed to double that with two wins in 17 games. Advertisement Almere City had been unable to replace Peer Koopmeiners, who returned to AZ last summer, while last seasons top scorer Thomas Robinet only managed two goals in 33 games this campaign compared to 12 in 36 last season. Another big loss was Yoann Cathline, who spent this year on loan at Utrecht from Lorient. For Almere he had been good for six goals and four assists, numbers he has matched this year with Utrecht. Player of the season: Thom Haye After such a difficult season, it is hard to find one individual who stood out for the side. According to FotMob, the sides best player this season was midfielder Thom Haye. The 30-year-old joined from SC Heerenveen in the summer following a strong campaign. While he failed to score this year, he did manage two assists. With better strikers in front of him, this could have been more, as the former AZ man created more chances than 95% of players in his position. Haye is out of contract this summer so will be hoping of remaining in the Eredivisie. Young player of the season: Junior Kadile Like the player of the season, finding a young player of the season for Almere City was also difficult. In truth, the side have not used many players under the age of 23. Only Junior Kadile and Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp have made any meaningful contribution to the side this season. Kadile, a summer transfer from French side Laval, just about edges it thanks to five goals and two assists in 31 games. The 22-year-old had the best season of his young career. The forward, who can play out wide or upfront, was also strong in the air, winning 94% more aerial duals than players in his position. He also attempted more shots than 98% of his counterparts, so improving on his conversion may be something to work on this summer. Advertisement Summer needs: If Almere City want to make a return to the top flight they will need to strengthen at both ends of the pitch. Robinet still has a contract until 2027 and could use a season in the second tier to rediscover his scoring touch. Many of the sides defenders are out of contract this summer, which could be a good thing. The club can focus on retooling at the back to put together a side that can keep them in games and give them a shot at promotion. FC Volendam and Excelsior both managed instant returns to the top flight, so Almere City should take a leaf out of both their books. Grade: D GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
