Vitesse Wins Court Appeal, Regains Dutch Pro Football License

Dutch football club Vitesse Arnhem won a crucial legal battle that reinstated their professional license, allowing them to return to the Dutch professional leagues for the 2025/26 season. The club's license had been revoked by the Dutch football association (KNVB) due to repeated and structural violations of the licensing system, including a pattern of deception and attempts to undermine the system. After a civil court initially upheld the KNVB's decision, Vitesse appealed to the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court, which suspended the license revocation, citing that the KNVB's decision was made under significant time pressure and lacked the necessary care for such a severe sanction. The court found that the committees could not reasonably have imposed an unconditional revocation without fully weighing all interests, giving Vitesse a temporary reprieve and the chance to rebuild after many players left on free transfers. The club expressed relief and commitment to a positive future, while negotiations with the KNVB are expected to ensure proper governance going forward. Vitesse's reinstatement reflects a complex legal and regulatory dispute, underscoring the importance of due process in sports licensing decisions.