Vitesse docked 18 points, relegated amid probe of Abramovich ties
Kosport Magazine – Apr 19, 2024
In a shocking turn of events, Dutch club Vitesse has been docked 18 points and relegated from the Eredivisie, the top division in the Netherlands. This comes as a result of an ongoing investigation into the club’s ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea.
The decision was made by a licensing panel at the Dutch soccer federation, who found that Vitesse had repeatedly failed to meet the financial demands of their license. As a result, the team has been dropped into the second tier for the first time in 35 years.
This news has sent shockwaves through the football world, as Vitesse was already in danger of relegation before the points deduction. The club now sits at a dismal -1 points in last place in the Eredivisie standings.
But what exactly is the connection between Vitesse and Abramovich? The Russian billionaire owned Chelsea for nearly 20 years before being forced to sell the club by the British government in 2022 due to his involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Dutch federation (KNVB) has stated that there are “indications” of Abramovich’s involvement in the running of Vitesse, and that there are “risks” of sanctions being violated. This raises serious questions about the club’s financial dealings and potential violations.
It’s worth noting that Vitesse’s fortunes have declined since their Europa Conference League run in 2022, where they reached the round of 16 before being knocked out by eventual champions Roma. The club’s former coach, Phillip Cocu, resigned in November and their performance on the field has suffered as a result.
This is not the first time that Abramovich’s ties to Vitesse have come under scrutiny. Last year, British newspaper The Guardian alleged that the Russian billionaire had secretly funded the club with over $100 million. This raises even more questions about the true nature of the relationship between Vitesse and Abramovich.
It’s also worth mentioning that Chelsea, under Abramovich’s ownership, has loaned a number of players to Vitesse over the years, including Nemanja Matic and Mason Mount. This further adds to the suspicion surrounding the club’s ties to the Russian billionaire.
In conclusion, the decision to dock Vitesse 18 points and relegate them from the Eredivisie is a major blow to the club and its fans. It also raises serious questions about the club’s financial dealings and potential violations. Kosport Magazine will continue to closely follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
Summary:
Dutch club Vitesse has been docked 18 points and relegated from the Eredivisie amid an ongoing investigation into their ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. The club’s former owner, Chelsea, has also come under scrutiny for their involvement with Vitesse. This decision has sent shockwaves through the football world and raises serious questions about the club’s financial dealings. Kosport Magazine will continue to closely follow this developing story.
