The KNVB provisionally revoked Vitesse’s licence in May after the independent licencing committee ruled that Vitesse “structurally evaded the licencing system” in previous years.
The KNVB’s appeals committee rejected an official appeal from the Arnhem club on July 31st. The committee’s report stated that “there has been a pattern of deception, circumvention and undermining of the licensing system over several years, as well as a lack of transparency." It ruled the revocation of the club’s licence as justified.
Civil court
In a last-ditch effort to save the future of the club, Vitesse decided to take the case to civil court, where the judge would determine if the KNVB took a just and conscientious decision by revoking Vitesse’s licence.
During Thursday’s summary proceedings, a judge ruled in favour of the KNVB, stating the KNVB applied the licencing rules correctly. The court case was Vitesse's last attempt at starting the 2025/26 season in the Dutch second tier.
A statement on the club website states that Vitesse have reacted to the news with deep disappointment.
"We have made every effort in recent months to meet the conditions set, in collaboration with the investors and other stakeholders," said Michel Schaay, Chairman of the Sterkhouders. "We are disappointed that this has been deemed insufficient. Above all, for our supporters, employees and the city of Arnhem.
"The club has received a ruling from the court. Vitesse will carefully study this ruling and consider its next steps. The club will communicate its decision shortly."
Downfall of the club
Vitesse, formerly famous for being a partner club of Chelsea, played in the Eredivisie uninterruptedly from 1990 to 2024 and were a steady sub-top side, featuring in the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League six times between 2012 and 2021.
After Russian club owner Valeri Oyf was forced to sell the club due to being added to the European sanctions list against Russian oligarchs, Vitesse fell into a financial spiral. Proposed takeovers from American Coley Parry and local entrepreneur Guus Franke fell through after not being accepted by the KNVB's licensing committee.
A new ownership group, consisting of Americans Dane Murphy and Flint Reilly, Germans Timo Braasch and Leon Muller, and Italian-American Bryan Mornaghi, took over the club in January 2025, but ran into trouble with the KNVB regarding the completion of the takeover.
The KNVB were unconvinced that Coley Parry, the owner of the Common Group, which had previously attempted an unsuccessful takeover and was rejected by the licensing commission, had been effectively excluded from Vitesse's business affairs and were concerned that the American still held influence within the club.
Parry himself reportedly put the five owners together in an attempt to keep control of the club.
Saviours came too late
A consortium formed by local investors announced a takeover of the club in June. The group, which called itself the 'Sterkhouders' (translated: strongholders), promised to keep Vitesse's professional license in Arnhem by discussing a future-proof plan with the KNVB.
In their response to Vitesse's appeal, the KNVB said the efforts of the Sterkhouders came too late for Vitesse.
"Their initiatives are surrounded by uncertainties that cannot be resolved before the start of the 2025/26 season. Many aspects of their plans still need to be further developed and assessed by the licensing committee."
Vitesse likely to fold
With the permanent revocation of their licence, it is highly anticipated that Vitesse will officially cease to exist.
The club may choose to continue as a newly-founded amateur club, but that will also mark the end of the 133-year existence of the Netherlands' second-oldest team.