The KNVB has imposed a sanction on Vitesse of eighteen match points. – Photo: KNVB Media
The independent licensing committee of the KNVB has imposed a sanction on Vitesse of 18 match points. The Arnhem club receives this punishment because it has repeatedly failed to meet the requirements of the licensing regulations over a longer period of time.
The amount of the sanction is based on the exceptional seriousness and extent of the violations of the licensing system. This includes providing incorrect information that was important for the forensic investigation into possible violations of sanctions legislation and withholding information important for the assessment of Vitesse’s continuity.
In addition, the licensing committee will assess other possible violations in the coming period. In this context, additional information is first awaited from Vitesse. The licensing committee will come out again if additional sanctions are imposed.
The licensing committee has also responded to the restructuring plan submitted by the club. The licensing committee is currently awaiting receipt of an amended plan. To the extent that there are still outstanding matters, the licensing committee will decide on this shortly.
Q&A Decision-making Vitesse
Why is Vitesse punished again by the License Commission for deception?
A sanction of 18 competition points has been deducted from Vitesse due to multiple failures to meet the requirements of the license regulations over a longer period.
What is the punishment that Vitesse receives?
Vitesse will be deducted a total of 18 match points.
Why does the licensing committee opt for a punishment in the form of a points deduction and not a fine?
The amount of the sanction is based on the exceptional seriousness and extent of the violations of the licensing system. This includes providing incorrect information that was important for the forensic investigation into a possible violation of sanctions legislation and withholding information important for the assessment of Vitesse’s continuity.
What are the guidelines here for determining the penalty?
The licensing regulations contain measures and/or sanctions that can be imposed if a club does not comply, does not adequately or does not comply on time with one or more obligations and requirements within the licensing system. Some obligations and/or requirements are considered so important within the licensing system that failure to comply will result in points deduction instead of a fine. The licensing committee uses a sanctioning guideline that includes sanctions for every obligation and/or requirement, an important principle here is that clubs (must) be treated equally
treated. In appropriate cases, this sanctioning guideline may be deviated from. That has been the case here.
Why does Vitesse get away with deducting match points while FC Twente was transferred back to the KKD?
Vitesse’s situation is different from that of FC Twente. In both cases there is a significant sanction/punishment.
How does the licensing committee arrive at 18 points? What determines the amount of the penalty? Especially from the perspective that the licensing committee almost never uses point deductions as a punishment.
See questions 1 to 4.
Why is the licensing committee coming up with this sanction now?
The licensing committee recently received the research reports from Integis and Wladimiroff Advocaten. The completion of these investigations gives rise to the imposition of this sanction.
Can Vitesse appeal against this punishment?
Yes. Vitesse can contact the licensing appeals committee for this.
Is this punishment a direct consequence of the letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs? When will there be more clarity about the appeal that Vitesse has filed against the ruling on the takeover of Parry shares? When will BC make a decision?
Nothing is known about this at the moment.
When is the outcome of the investigation into ties to Abramovich expected?
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate is investigating the ties between Vitesse and Abramovich in light of the EU sanctions. The outcome of that investigation is not yet known.
Because the ministry monitors compliance with the sanctions, it is not up to the licensing committee to determine whether there are conflicting ties with Abramovich.
The licensing committee concludes from the investigation report by Wladimiroff Advocaten that there are indications that Abramovich has or has had control over Vitesse and that there are risks of violation of sanctions and money laundering and therefore considers it important to await the ministry’s investigation. .
What is the licensing committee’s opinion on Vitesse’s rescue plan submitted by the club?
The licensing committee responded to Vitesse at an earlier stage on the restructuring plan they submitted. The licensing committee is awaiting an amended restructuring plan.
What is the licensing committee and how is it composed?
A licensing committee and an appeal committee for licensing matters have been established to monitor compliance with the rules and the licensing system process. Both committees are independent and autonomous. The licensing committee consists of at least five members with expertise mainly in legal and financial areas. The members of the licensing committee and licensing appeal committee are appointed by the general meeting of professional football. An appeal is possible against most of the decisions of the licensing committee. The licensing appeals committee will discuss this and then make a decision. This appeal committee also consists of members with expertise, mainly in legal and financial areas.
