Vitesse no longer has to fear that the professional license will be revoked. The Eredivisie club concluded an agreement with GelreDome owner Nedstede on Thursday. As a result, the biggest problems have now been solved.
“There is now finally clarity and therefore also peace regarding this file, also in the context of the license conditions,” says interim general manager Peter Rovers of Vitesse in an initial response.
Vitesse has been conducting intensive negotiations with Nedstede in recent weeks and the parties finally came to an agreement on Thursday. Vitesse may therefore continue to play in the GelreDome Stadium until at least October 1, 2030.
In September 2018, Vitesse canceled the lease on the stadium, where the club has played since its opening in 1998. The Arnhemmers thought the rent of 2.15 million euros per year was too high and made a counterproposal. Owner Nedstede could not agree with this and an impasse arose.
The two parties got involved in summary proceedings, which Vitesse lost at the end of February. The club therefore had to fear losing its professional license, because a stadium is a requirement to be able to play professional football. The old contract expired on September 30, 2023.
‘Parry played an important role’
The KNVB had to know before April 11 in which stadium Vitesse will play next season. The club from Arnhem wanted to go to court again in the very short term and hoped to guarantee the right to play for next season through a so-called turbo speed treatment. But that is no longer necessary after Thursday’s agreement.
Rovers thanked Michael van de Kuit, the director and owner of Nedstede, after the agreement. He also spoke with respect about American Coley Parry, the intended new owner of Vitesse. “Parry has played an important role in the negotiation talks, which is illustrative of his commitment to our club.”
The agreement does not end all problems for Vitesse. Vitesse has to do without general manager Pascal van Wijk for the time being, who has been at home sick since last week because the stadium troubles have become too much for him. In addition, the acquisition by Parry of the so-called Common Group not yet approved by the KNVB after six months.
There are also sporting concerns for Vitesse, which must avoid relegation in the last months of the season. The team of coach Phillip Cocu is in fourteenth place after 26 rounds, with only three points more than number sixteen FC Emmen.
Stand onder in de Eredivisie
- 13. FC Volendam 26-26 (-25)
- 14. Vitesse 26-24 (-16)
- 15. Excelsior 26-23 (-36)
- 16. FC Emmen 26-21 (-22)
- 17. FC Groningen 26-17 (-27)
- 18. SC Cambuur 26-16 (-29)
