Vitesse must answer to KNVB over role of Abramovich

The KNVB wants Vitesse to answer for Roman Abramovich’s role at the Arnhem club. Late last month, the club reported The Guardian that the wealthy Russian, who put a lot of money into Chelsea for years, allegedly secretly financed the Arnheimers.

The publication came at an awkward time for Vitesse. The management is working on a takeover of the club by Common Group, an American investment company, but that path is now likely to be delayed.

“We are in frequent contact with the KNVB about this complex dossier,” said Peter Rovers, the general director ad interim. “As we know, we recently submitted the new total package of documents there.”

Rovers: “Meanwhile, the licensing committee has also met, with ‘Vitesse’ as an agenda item. However, before the members will consider the documents provided, we are expected to have to answer a number of questions following the recent publication of The Guardian. We will do that to the best and quickest of our ability.”

Rovers expects the acquisition review process to take longer. “But of course it is also in our interest that this is done carefully.”