Greg . 21 hours ago

Parents of Vitesse youth players send underway letter to KNVB: 'Our kids are held hostage'

Concerned parents of Vitesse youth academy players have sent a pressing underway letter to the Dutch FA (KNVB) about the future and well-being of their children.

Earlier this month, former Eredivisie side Vitesse had their professional licence revoked by the KNVB following years of systematically undermining the football association's licensing system.

The judgment by the Dutch civil court to uphold the KNVB's judgment led to Vitesse officially disappearing from Dutch professional football.

The Arnhem club will likely continue in the amateur ranks and stated they want to prioritise their youth academy from now on.

'Our children are being held hostage'However, first-team players are leaving the club en masse with the KNVB allowing them to leave on free transfers.

With youth players now being lured away as well, parents of youth academy players have sent a pressing underway letter to the KNVB, titled 'Parents of Vitesse youth players demand immediate clarity: Our children are being held hostage.

'"We, the parents of Vitesse youth players, are very concerned about our children's future since the revocation of the professional licence.

Despite earlier promises, there is still no agreement on the possibility of transferring to another club," the parents say.

"Vitesse claim that players are free to leave, while the KNVB says it is waiting for Vitesse.

In practice, this means that children – some as young as 12 or 13 – are stuck in an administrative impasse.

They cannot continue their training, while their development is at a standstill every day.

”Edward Sturing and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (2-R) leading a training session of the Vitesse U21sHollandse Hoogte / Shutterstock Editorial / ProfimediaThe parents emphasise that the situation affects them, their children, and their families on a daily basis.

"There has been tension for weeks, holidays have been overshadowed, and daily life is completely dominated by uncertainty.

On top of that, all this also has major consequences for school: some children are forced to transfer to a new high school, while the school year in Arnhem has already started again this week.

"Furthermore, the parents stated that the situation is far more pressing than some media outlets have said.

"We want to distance ourselves from the image created in the media that parents understand this situation or support Vitesse.

That is not true.

We feel abandoned and abused by organisations that should be taking responsibility.

"We therefore call on the KNVB and Vitesse to provide immediate clarity and to facilitate the transfer of our children.

Every day of delay is one day too many.

"