Vitesse receives professional license, fans celebrate together on Korenmarkt

Vitesse supporters' groups are calling on each other to come to the Korenmarkt entertainment square in Arnhem on Saturday afternoon to celebrate their club's receiving a professional license for next season. According to the club's management, which has been relegated to the first division, all conditions have been met to obtain the required license. However, they are still waiting for a definitive confirmation from the independent licensing appeals committee of the KNVB.

An ANP photographer saw around 1:45 p.m. that it was still relatively quiet on the Korenmarkt and about a hundred Vitesse supporters were there.

The licensing committee had informed Vitesse earlier this summer that they would not receive a professional license for the coming season. The Arnhem team, who were relegated from the Eredivisie last season, appealed against that decision and were subsequently granted two extensions by the KNVB to be able to submit a balanced budget.

The appeals committee wanted to provide clarity last Thursday, but that did not succeed because there were still questions about the new documents submitted by Vitesse. The club from Arnhem announced on Friday evening that it has almost certainly been saved from ruin after an agreement with the Common Group of the main creditor, Coley Parry.

If the professional licensing committee confirms this on Saturday, Vitesse will open the new season in the first division next Friday with a home match against Telstar. Vitesse, founded in 1892, is the second oldest professional club in the Netherlands. Only Sparta (1888) has existed longer. The club won the KNVB Cup in 2017 and was relegated from the Eredivisie last season after 35 years, after the KNVB deducted 18 points. The club has qualified for European football on several occasions since 1990.