ARNHEM, Netherlands (AP) — Troubled Dutch soccer club Vitesse Arnhem was given a lifeline Wednesday by an appeals court that suspended a previous decision to strip its license to play in the professional leagues.
Vitesse, one of the Netherlands’ oldest clubs, said Wednesday the ruling by the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court means the club can now return to professional soccer, at least until a final verdict in the case is made.
The club said it was “delighted” by the ruling, which came after another court had initially upheld the decision by the Dutch soccer association, KNVB, to strip Vitesse of its licence.
Vitesse has been wrangling with the association for years over its status. Last year, it was docked 18 points and relegated from the top-flight Eredivisie while under investigation for ti