ARNHEM, Netherlands (AP) — Soccer club Vitesse Arnhem was docked 18 points on Friday and will be relegated from the Netherlands top division while under investigation for ties to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea.
Vitesse said in a statement it will not appeal the punishment imposed by a licensing panel at the Dutch soccer federation. It dropped the team into the second tier for the first time in 35 years.
Vitesse already was in danger of relegation before its points total was cut to -1 in a distant last place in the Eredivisie standings.
The Dutch federation said Vitesse “repeatedly failed” to meet the demands of its financial license.
Vitesse and its Russian owners had longstanding ties to Chelsea which Abramovich owned for nearly 20 years. The British government forced a sale of Chelsea after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Italy earns 5th Champions League spot for next season because of overall success in Europe
Death toll in Italy's power plant explosion rises to 5
Chinese military spokesperson answers media questions during annual legislative session
Meet Donald Trump's glamorous right
Taylor Swift RELEASES The Tortured Poets Department! Grammy
China to step up financial support for green development
PICTURED: Best friends who died alongside student while 'doing high
US CPI accelerates to 3.5% in March
The iconic fantasy film that catapulted a 17
Medical insurance fund remains strong, despite aging population
Swiatek beats Raducanu in Stuttgart quarters. Sabalenka loses to Vondrousova
Liverpool falls silent to mark 35th anniversary of Hillsborough disaster: Ninety