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.
Nina Dobrev hospitalized with a neck brace due to serious e
Alleged homicide suspect fatally shot by police in San Francisco Bay Area
Arizona Republican drops reelection effort after accusation he forged signatures
Tennessee State hires coach in big step to being the first HBCU to add ice hockey
Sale continues dominant run as Braves beat Padres 3
Arizona Republican drops reelection effort after accusation he forged signatures
AP Week in Pictures: North America
Defending champion South Carolina to open season in Las Vegas against Michigan
Rural Texas towns report cyberattacks that caused one water system to overflow
Defending champion South Carolina to open season in Las Vegas against Michigan
Packers sign former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Andre Dillard