The Dutch Football Tradition Club Vitesse Arnheim can still hope for a future in professional football.
The former cup winner obtained a suspension of the license withdrawal in the urgent procedure. “This suspension means that the club can start the 2025/2026 season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie,” said the club. Fans celebrated the decision in the city center.
At the beginning of August, a district court confirmed the sports court decisions against the second division team. Arnheim was sentenced to an 18-point deduction in 2024 for serious violations of the license regulations and relegated to the 2nd division for the first time in 35 years. In the second division season, several point deductions and the relegation were followed. This finally resulted in the withdrawal of the license – now the U -turn came.
“This judgment gives us relief and perspective. We are pleased that the court recognizes the seriousness of the situation and suspended the decisions,” said Michel Schaay, Chairman of the Vitesse Supporter: “Now we have to have discussions with the association.”
On September 12, Vitesse could start the league game against the second team of AZ Alkmaar, whose operation has been running since the beginning of August. The previous games of Arnheim had been canceled. The club cannot get off the second division as a first representation according to the regulations in the closed system of Dutch professional football. After the license withdrawal, Vitesse is only available to nine professionals.