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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Play Off Second Leg - Vitesse Arnhem v SK Rapid Wien - GelreDome, Arnhem, Netherlands - February 24, 2022 Vitesse Arnhem players with their fans after the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -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 associationsaid 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 twodivisions, 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. "This is a tragedy for the city, for the supporters, for Vitesse. The city has lost a large part of its DNA." ($1 = 0.8581 euros) (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
CNA
3 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.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
AMSTERDAM, Aug 8 (Reuters) - 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. "This is a tragedy for the city, for the supporters, for Vitesse. The city has lost a large part of its DNA." ($1 = 0.8581 euros)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Play Off Second Leg - Vitesse Arnhem v SK Rapid Wien - GelreDome, Arnhem, Netherlands - February 24, 2022 Vitesse Arnhem players with their fans after the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PM Wong calls on S'poreans to band together for nation to remain exceptional in National Day message Singapore Nation building is every Singaporean's responsibility, not the work of one party alone: Pritam Singapore Four foreign leaders to attend NDP 2025 at the Padang Singapore 'This is home', for retired shop owner putting up 11th flag display in Toa Payoh to mark SG60 Singapore Singapore leaders send congratulatory letters to South Korean counterparts to mark 50 years of ties Singapore Relaxed rules 'not a silver bullet', but a step in right direction, say nightlife businesses Business Singapore's digital banks trim deposit rates, mirroring moves by incumbent players Singapore Chief Justice allows founder of site that ran fake KKH story to be called to the Bar 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. "This is a tragedy for the city, for the supporters, for Vitesse. The city has lost a large part of its DNA." REUTERS
