Large portion of Vitesse players move to end contracts after club loses pro license
A large portion of Vitesse’s professional players are reportedly moving to terminate their contracts following the club’s loss of its professional license, NOS reports. The club, based in Arnhem, will hold talks Tuesday with the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) about restarting at the amateur level, potentially entering the third division.
After a court ruling last Friday upheld the KNVB’s decision to revoke Vitesse’s professional license, the club is barred from competing in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the second tier of Dutch professional football. This leaves many contracted players in limbo. While they remain eligible to play for other professional clubs, their current contracts with Vitesse reportedly block any immediate transfers.
The players’ union VVCS announced Monday that many Vitesse players have registered with the KNVB arbitration committee to request contract terminations. This step would allow them to sign with other professional clubs. The union is encouraging all Vitesse players to initiate this arbitration process.
The legal proceedings are led by attorney Frans de Weger of BMDW Advocaten, representing the VVCS, Vision4Soccer, and other players managed by different agencies. De Weger will formally ask Vitesse to release players without the need for a legal battle. If the club refuses, the arbitration committee will make the final decision.
On the training ground at Papendal, players continue preparations amid uncertainty. Defender Justin Bakker told Omroep Gelderland, “I hope to continue as a professional footballer.” Club captain Alexander Büttner expressed loyalty to Vitesse: “I will see how I can help Vitesse because this is my club. I am definitely not leaving here just like that.”
Meanwhile, Vitesse is preparing for Tuesday’s meeting with the KNVB to discuss a possible restart in amateur football. Michel Schaay, one of the club’s investors, had already confirmed the upcoming talks to NOS.
Reports in De Telegraaf indicate that Vitesse aims to join the third division, which is the highest level of amateur football. However, both the northern and southern leagues in this division currently have full rosters of eighteen clubs each. RBC, a club that went bankrupt in 2011 and exited professional football, has risen from the fifth class back to the third division.
