Vitesse Arnhem has been dealt a heavy blow, being handed an 18-point penalty and demoted from the Eredivisie by the Dutch FA. The team had previously hosted players from Chelsea, including Mason Mount and Dominic Solanke, on loan for first-team experience.
However, allegations connecting the club to former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich led to the KNVB’s strict action, resulting in Vitesse’s demotion for the first time in 35 years. The severity of the rule-breaking, which involved providing false and withholding information, has been described as “exceptional.”
Despite deciding not to appeal the punishment, Vitesse was not completely stripped of its license. The club and the KNVB await the results of an ongoing probe into Vitesse’s previous business with Abramovich.
In 2022, Abramovich, under EU sanctions, was forced to transfer ownership of Chelsea due to his ties to the Kremlin. Leaked documents reportedly show that Abramovich channeled over £100 million into Vitesse, though he has consistently denied having formal ties with the club.
Nevertheless, the club is pleased with the opportunity to retain its license and is committed to moving forward in a new direction. Meanwhile, Chelsea is facing its own investigation regarding financial operations during Abramovich’s tenure, with offshore accounts allegedly used for substantial payments over the course of a decade.
