Vitesse Saved: Former Chelsea Club Retains Professional License After Appeal.

According to The Sun: The former Chelsea affiliate, Vitesse Arnhem, currently does not have enough players to form a starting lineup.

The Dutch club was excluded from the Eredivisie last season due to failure to meet licensing requirements.

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Vitesse narrowly avoided bankruptcy, with the club being saved at the last moment on July 2.

The team has now won its appeal, retained its licenses, and remained in professional football.

“Vitesse won the appeal against the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) decision: the license revocation is suspended pending a final resolution.”

“The Arnhem-Leeuwarden Appeals Court decided that the revocation of Vitesse's license is suspended, and the club must be allowed to participate in professional football.”

“This suspension means that the club can start the 2025/2026 season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.”

The club has been actively working on recovery and stability in recent months.

The plan includes establishing a new independent supervisory board, and Vitesse intends to amend its statutory documents according to the new restructuring plan.

As of today, Vitesse is reinstated in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie – the second division of the Netherlands.

However, the team currently has only nine players, as many left after the exclusion.

The team intends to fill the squad with local amateurs.

Ten players left the club from August 18 to September 1 to preserve their careers.

German coach Rüdiger Rem and the club management must work on strengthening the squad.

However, he can count on former Manchester United defender Alexander Büttner.

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Alexander Büttner has been with the club since August 2024.

“I have goosebumps... People have worked so hard for this. I have seen a lot of pain in the last weeks. I always said I wouldn’t leave Vitesse.”

The season is already ongoing, and the team needs to organize its entry into the league.

Logistically, this is possible on September 12 or 13, when the next matches are scheduled.

Despite existing issues, club chairman Michel Sjaak is looking optimistically to the future.

“This decision gives us relief and new prospects.”

Fans were also thrilled with the news and took to the streets to celebrate.

Many gathered in the Korenmarkt square in Arnhem to share the joy.

Cheers echoed, drowned out by flares.

One of the bars even ran out of beer due to the joy of the fans who hung a sign saying “beer is finished.”

This positive news has been a great comfort for the club, as some experts estimated the chances of survival at only one percent.

Vitesse was founded in 1892 and has finished second in the Eredivisie four times.

The club gained popularity in England by becoming an affiliate of Chelsea and sending many players on loan for playing experience.

Getty - Contributor Wilfried Bony shone at Vitesse before moving to Swansea City VI Images Vitesse, despite serious challenges, is trying to not only maintain its place in professional football but also become a competitive team. Fans who support the club in difficult times hope that a new phase in development will begin in their beloved club, and positive results will soon be seen on the pitch.