The developments surrounding Vitesse and Coley Parry are also a topic of discussion in Belgium. The American businessman, who this week saw his request to take over the Arnhem club rejected before the KNVB licensing committee, also owns a club in our southern neighbors.
In February 2022, Parry announced that he was taking over Patro Eisden. At the club that plays in the second level, he promised to 'find and train talented players'. “By investing in players we also increase the value of the club,” was his promise.
Although Parry seems to have things well organized in Belgium – Patro Eisden is fifth, six points behind leader Beerschot – the events at Vitesse also leave their mark in Belgium.
“If the Dutch licensing committee has serious questions about the origin of the money, why can Patro let the money flow in Belgian professional football with the same owners?” The newspapaer in an analysis.
Last summer, Patro Eisden announced the arrival of Stef Peeters (32), who accepted Patro Eisden's offer despite a proposal from Standard Liège and reportedly earns 500,000 euros per year. Captain Lukas Van Eenoo (33) from Westerlo and Stallone Limbombe (32) were also recruited.
“Their arrival is at odds with Parry's intention to 'find and train talented players', but could potentially take the club to the Jupiler Pro League,” the verdict reads. “It is not clear to anyone how deep Parry's pockets are.”
“The situation at Patro Eisden brings back memories of what is happening at the other extreme of our country, in Ostend. A provisional administrator is working there to save KV Oostende from bankruptcy after the passage of the American investor Paul Conway .”
“In the coming months it should become clear whether Coley Parry is also a 'sky cyclist' – the words come from the owner of the Vitesse stadium – or whether he was a victim of an overly strict licensing policy.”
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