Vitesse has a week to collect 5.8 million euros. This was reported by sports marketer Chris Woerts on Monday evening in The the Dutch SummerIf the Arnhem club fails to do so before the deadline of July 31, there is a good chance that the license will be permanently withdrawn.

“They need 5.8 million euros to survive,” Woerts indicated the seriousness of the situation for Vitesse. “And they have to get that sorted out this week. Because otherwise the appeals committee will revoke the license next week. And then Vitesse will be bankrupt.”

According to Woerts, the Vitesse management remains hopeful despite the dire situation. “I have spoken extensively to general manager Edwin Reijntjes. Vitesse is now working on a rescue plan. Reijntjes is now sitting at the table with the supporters to provide an explanation.”

“But they have not submitted a balanced budget again. 5.8 million in the red”, the sports marketer is somewhat surprised about the state of affairs in Arnhem. Jack van Gelder noted that Vitesse cannot get an indefinite postponement from the KNVB, as the first match of the season in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie is scheduled for 9 August.

“I foresee a scenario where it will be postponed again. And that Vitesse will start the competition with a completely stripped-down team. And a budget that makes no sense. Which is less than Spakenburg, so to speak. And that they have until January with fifteen points deduction. But I don't think they will make a decision,” Van Gelder also expressed his surprise.

Woerts then drew a comparison with other countries. “Glasgow Rangers went bankrupt and continued in the fourth division. In the Netherlands, there is a closed system. If Vitesse goes bankrupt, it cannot start with the amateurs. Because there is a closed system. You cannot be promoted.”

“But I don't understand why Vitesse is submitting a budget with a loss of 5.8 million euros. You can also submit a budget with 0. Then you have twelve players and you can start,” Woerts concluded his analysis of the dire situation of the club from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

Deadline

Initially, Vitesse was supposed to get clarity on Monday about getting a professional license for next season, but now it is clear that additional information is needed. Vitesse now has until 31 July at 12:00 to meet the final requirements, after which a final decision is expected on Thursday 1 August.

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