What On Earth Is Going On At Vitesse Arnhem?

Vitesse Arnhem finished fourth in Eredivisie in the 2020-21 season, and beat Tottenham en route to the Round of Sixteen of the UEFA Conference League in 2021-22, but this season, they have been relegated from the Eredivisie after 35 years, with the largest points deduction in Dutch football history.
Vitesse are best known to a lot of people for their relationship with Premier League giants Chelsea for more than a decade, and in some ways, it is that relationship which is at the heart of their catastrophic demise.
In this video, HITC Sevens takes a look at why Vitesse were deducted 18 points this season, their alleged ties to Roman Abramovich, and why the worst - unfortunately - could still be to come.
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[@agb.88]

As a dutchman... I always get exited when I see Alfie is going to discuss something dutch... And not just for the pronounciations and sarcasm... Also... you did a good job on "Stichting Betaald Voetbal Vitesse"

[@RespecTheLevYT]

Hij spreekt het wel uit als een downiee hey

[@bababababababa6124]

I love how even without the 18 point deduction they’d still be bottom 😂

[@Rutoga]

That was last week! We won this weekend so now this isn't true anymore! 🤩🤩

[@bababababababa6124]

@@Rutogamy bad, you’d be in 17th Not gonna lie though that’s still pretty shocking how you would still be 8 full points off survival even with your points back 😭

[@diomuda7903]

That's hurt.

[@drillnewsandclips3798]

​@bababababababa6124 not really, 8 points off of survival isn't horrific

[@thelads917]

@@Rutogaq

[@BrianStorm742]

Fortuna Sittard isn't the oldest Dutch pro club; that would be Sparta Rotterdam.

[@user-ru3yn9qc2m]

I wonder how much willpower it took not to title this "Vitesse Arnhem: a bridge too far?".

[@Cazi1]

Interesting video as always, Alfie. Although, I feel the need to correct a fact you stated: the oldest active club in the Netherlands are Sparta Rotterdam and not Fortuna Sittard, who aren't even close to being the oldest

[@HITCSevens]

Thank you! And my apologies, I've no idea why I said Fortuna Sittard - I must have had them being the only other foreign-owned club already in my head!

[@Cazi1]

@@HITCSevens no problem whatsoever, this possibility actually crossed my mind when I got to that part of the video. Thanks for the reply and the great video!

[@TheDutchyNL]

Probably a mixup because Fortuna Sittard was the first Dutch team to start paying their players.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

​​@@HITCSevensSomeone in this comment section clearly doesn't like Kazakhstan being in UEFA. Just saying. By the way. Russia didn't invade Ukraine in February 2022. That's a mainstream news media talking about. 🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝

[@argentinamexico3895]

Oops, wrong history!

[@martintielemans]

Oh boy, I was expecting this. Time to get the popcorn after celebrating Willem II's promotion and taking Vitesse's place in the Eredivisie :)

[@augero-jr8ti]

W

[@svdgnl]

Gefeliciteerd, ik denk dat bijna iedereen daar blij mee is

[@koenslinkman]

Same here. Honestly can't believe HITC is making a video about my club and city lmao

[@DrQuatsch]

You know, the Eredivisie misses teams like Willem II. And whether Groningen or Roda also promotes, we have two caliber teams back in the Eredivisie. Willem II belongs here, so I am glad to see them back.

[@XanderNiks]

We will replace you again in one year. Please enjoy.

[@matthiasinderst3877]

I am completely flabbergasted. I really thought foreign owners with absolutely no ties to a club couldn't just use the club for their own good and destroy the future of the institution alongside breaking thousands of fans hearts. edit: spelling

[@Micfri300]

Putin ruined vitesse. They were actually run incredibly well before.

[@Linesjointspenaltypoints]

Edit: sarcasm

[@scpjack7856]

On the subject of Gelderland teams, shout out to De Graafschap, who went from almost not existing in the summer to a promotion charge.

[@hanli5416]

Not really surprising to me to be honest. maybe i have just been around too long but i feel they deserve their moniker of de superboeren, they are in general too good for the first division but just lack the means too really stay permanently in the eredivisie. Always a club that is willing to fight with all they have.

[@peterdoorakkers9077]

Maybe Alfie can do a video on them too - as far as Dutch clubs go, they're very English in many respects.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Up The County! One of my favourite foreign teams. Keep going, De Graafschap, keep going.

[@TheThijsyy]

Ben je nederlands? If not, I don't remember Graafschap being on the verge of collapse at any point? Although things are not in good financial shape after 5 years of the First Division

[@BristolCity1992]

The Norwich City of the Netherlands.

[@NeptuneTowers]

There is no option to start in the 3rd tier in the Netherlands. They have to start at the bottom, which is level 10

[@scpjack7856]

Visited Arnhem last year. Amazing city, the battle museum is free to enter and definitely recommended. Nijmegen was better though. 😉

[@DutchDesires]

As somebody who lives in Nijmegen and works in Arnhem I want to offer my apologies. I'm sorry you had to visit 2 of the ugliest, poorly maintained and unhospitable cities our country has to offer. If you're in the area, try 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch for short) next time. You'll be amazed by how pretty/much better everything is.

[@Marash13888]

@@DutchDesiresals Arnhemmer hoe kun je dit nou zeggen over Nijmegen? Arm? Lelijk? Geen gastvrijheid? Mensen misinformatie geven over je eigen woonplaats💀, vanavond nog even nooit meer naar Arnhem reageren op Vitesse gerelateerde Posts en dan zal mama wel weer trots zijn😉

[@murray9807]

Hey, man, could you do a video on Argentinian football? There are 24 teams in the first division, 38 in second (Even more in lower leagues) that's because the AFA is corrupt and takes out relegations as it pleases, and in every promotion there's controversy. Two examples of this are Barracas Central and Deportivo Riestra, neither of them have proper instalations and playing against them means that every possible advantage will be given to them. One of them even faked an Adidas sponsorship.

[@stantory1822]

That would be fun video

[@eggfriedreus793]

What a mess!

[@colonelfares3857]

I'd like to see the bottom derby between Sporting Colòn and Athletico Lanus.

[@argentinamexico3895]

WEYYYYYY we need one!

[@damienkearns5748]

What a Messi

[@brendanbirth4307]

I'm a Norwich supporter, but if Ipswich holds on and gets promoted, I think Ipswich Town should get the "remarkable rise of" treatment.

[@jordanford9320]

You called it 😂

[@bababababababa6124]

Somehow there’s a team worse than Sheffield United in Europe’s top flights

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

Almeria in Spain and Salernitana in Italy are both worse and they didn’t have points deductions like vitesse

[@benrotko6411]

Salernitana have a great logo though.

[@GuntherSDoumson2178]

Top flights? Eredivisie? 😁

[@Xxxxyyy734]

@@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986still weird how almeria only have 1 league win all season but somehow play so good against Barca,real and atletico

[@jamesruddock9596]

If Ipswich get promoted will you do a video on them? Insane story

[@marcuspoosz2190]

should do a video about what on earth is going on at Vålerenga. They got relegated last season for the first time in over 20 years and is now struggling in the 2nd division (Obosligaen) and having lost a couple of key players including Steffan Strandberg who had to retire early due to a blood cloth in his leg and he was advised to retire by doctors and medical staff or it could have become life threatening.

[@TheDutchyNL]

Nice ''short'' summary of what's going on at Vitesse. One small correction though: Fortuna Sittard isn't the oldest active club in Dutch football, that's, Sparta Rotterdam. .Fortuna Sittard was the first team to start paying their players, so that's probably where the confusion comes from.

[@ThePlayaJohn]

3 - they played Liverpool in a uefa cup tie in 2003

[@Brianmeneer]

Michael Owen scored vs us twice... Although we really deserved more from the home tie

[@jarmoliebrand2005]

And NEC are having a good season :) As an Ajax fan from Nijmegen (so I like NEC too), I do very much hope Vitesse continues to exist. It’s a shame for any football club to just vanish…

[@ryannurse2890]

I heard about this and was hoping you'd make a video about it, it turned out to be an even wilder ride than I'd been expecting.Great job as usual!

[@joepbecker9668]

That moment when it’s you club up for the what on Earth series. Wish us luck boys, we’re going to need every last bit of it

[@rikupv]

Congrats on 600k Alfie!

[@SvdB1124]

Haven't started watching yet... but I just wanted to comment to say: FINALLY, I KNEW THAT THIS WAS COMING! As a football club, especially from a European country, you of course cannot go through such a crisis without Alfie making a video about it!

[@Anneal2425]

You should do a video on Troyes. They've been taken over by the City Football Group in 2020 and while they briefly enjoyed success, now they're practically double relegated down to Championnat National while their best player has never played a single minute for them due to being on loan at Girona.

[@hankarmas]

Who are ALSO owned by CFG (majority shareholder at 47%)

[@g4ddos]

Thanks, Alfie! Brilliant as always.

[@Tijnvdzanden]

Yo Alfie, loved the video man, as always!

[@peterdoorakkers9077]

As a staunch supporter of De Graafschap, which means I, ehrm, rather dislike Vitesse, I'd like to thank you, Alfie, for this enjoyable half an hour of Schadenfreude.

[@looseloos]

There was a team in Bahrain last season named budayia which also ended in -1 points but for them they got deducted 6 points when they had 5

[@octavianpopescu4776]

Perfect video, just in time. Because a few hours ago, I was looking at the standings in the Netherlands and I noticed the 2 points and wondered to myself: "What on Earth is going on at Vitesse Arnhem?"

[@THEDRIEDMANGO]

lovely vid mate

[@Stratega1982]

Another very informative video. Thanks Alfie

[@grumpierlion2217]

2nd oldest after Fortuna Sittard? Sparta Rotterdan was founded in 1888. Fortuna Sittard in 1968.

[@Freevo_Lowse]

I have a public playlist for the what on earth series, love watching every one of them

[@DB-im6rq]

Nice to see an english video about my club Vitesse. I hope they manage to exist in the future.

[@lukasvanderveen9856]

Your research is on point, fantastic! 👌

[@oldgiant8966]

Its really not. Fortuna Sittard the oldest Dutch club ?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TN-mv3mm]

Grats on 600k subs!!!

[@Rebelboy20]

Thank you HITC SEVENS

[@wesselkodrums5501]

Cool to see them in a video!!

[@7bombarie]

One of the better things of Vitesse, is that they play a match each year honouring the veterans of Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem.

[@anthonyleighton4754]

Puts things in perspective......it's only a game...

[@MichaelBrandon-cp8jq]

As a kid, I used to go through the Master League mode of PES 5 multiple times turning less-powerful teams into juggernauts. Did this with Bolton, Lecce, R. Sociedad, and of course Vitesse! I never really knew anything about the real Eredivisie and presumed Vitesse were on the lower end of the division based on their stats, so it's surprising to find out Vitesse initially went on to do well in the division and supply Chelsea!

[@GreekHouseEffect]

Today I learned that Leonid Slutsky has been manager at Hull

[@PvMhijden]

we had a similar owner years back, who said we would be in the UCL in 5 years. only to be arrested a few weeks later in dubai. now we are still in the second tier and just missed out on automatic promotion.

[@jordanbiggs5615]

Love to hear your video on Birmingham City for the "what on earth is going on at" series!

[@diomuda7903]

Vitesse is, in some way, an example of the extent of sportswashing. Owned by a proxy of the Russian government to do Muscovy's bid. They have short-term successes, but not long term stability. Unfortunately, it is not the only thing. Kazakhstan's UEFA membership since 2002 (which I am still asking for a video) despite gross human rights violation, Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup, to how Qatar and Saudi Arabia won World Cup bids and China's football gamble, all have a significant connection to it.

[@bkarnhem874]

Im still happy with the 10 years of playing good football and all the amazing players weve had. We all knew from the start it was shady business and Vitesse was a ticking time bomb. This kind of adversity will bring the fans closer to the club, which has been missing for quite some years due to the foreign investments and endless loans. I hope they can play in the second division next year, but even when they can do that, the drama will not be over. Its still going to be fc hollywood on the Rhine

[@harrymaxwell9342]

Still enjoying your effort connecting every video to Hull City 👍🐯🐅

[@he_football]

A what on earth is going on right after a we need to talk? You are really spoiling us

[@pedrohernandez4887]

YES LETS GO I REQUESTED THIS VID !!

[@diegomotta209]

Videos have been slapping lately

[@R4rd]

Good of you to include the trouble surrounding the GelreDome, which is just way to ambitious a stadium for a humble club like Vitesse. They have struggled to fill it (and pay for it) ever since it was constructed.

[@ousfraton435]

reckon u could do a vid on az alkmaar? doing a youth onky save with em on fm atm n would love to know more abt their history. must be a good story about being a new ish club and kinda solidifying as the 4th challenger (along w maybe twente) for the league

[@glencurtis6052]

Alfie, would love to see your take on Ipswich town. 194 points and 191 goals over the past 2 seasons

[@stuartwaring9676]

Alfie can you do a video on Morecambe? We've got an owner who's wanted to sell since 2022 yet wants top dollar, we've had points deduction this season due to his failure, we've been under an efl embargo and in the last two weeks have lost the manager and have only one player for next season.

[@PeterBalkEllende]

As the actual oldest club in the Eredivisie, Sparta Rotterdam has been founded about 80 years earlier than Fortuna Sittard in 1888. Vitesse, FC Twente, Heerenveen, PSV, PEC, NEC, Feyenoord, Heracles, Excelsior, Ajax and Willem II are also older than Fortuna Sittard.

[@EshBBX]

Expected more note on the 2013 season tbh, which despite lack of silverware was actually the most spectacular season Vitesse has had potentially ever, Wilfried Bony in his prime outscoring everyone and Vitesse top of the leaderboard during winterbreak.

[@krishankaushal8422]

Now have an undying hatred for hull city after rolling over for Plymouth today hope u go down next year. Love the channel tho xx

[@Aeolus_ca]

what is going on with sj quakes, oakland roots, the town fc? Alfie please respond

[@edgelord6960]

If Vitesse's professional license is revoked, it would also mean that promotion back to the top two leagues is for now impossible. Because most dutch amateur teams have very little money, some years ago they decided, together with the KNVB to stop promotion to and relegation from the dutch second tier (eerste divisie/keuken kampioen divisie) because it would instantly bankrupt almost every club if they suddenly had to pay proper wages to all their players. Because of this, Vitesse would be stuck in amateur football until they remove the promotion/relegation rule. (or find some weird messy workaround that nobody really wants like the KNVB tends to do)

[@Superboer1796]

That's not entirely true. If they lose their professional license and they work their way back up to the Second Division (third tier), all they need to do is make a plan and show it to KNVB. As long as a club can meet the requirements the KNVB set for entering the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, and the KNVB give their approval to the plan, they're allowed to play in it. RBC Roosendaal for example want also back to professional football. As long as they can meet the requirments and play in the Second Division (I believe you have to in order to have chance), they can go back to professional football. It's true though that the requirements are quite heavy, and that's not possible to gain promotion to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (second tier) on the ground of sportive success (like a championship or winning play-offs), as the only football pyramid in Europe. But if they want, the can enter back, that's also how RKC and Emmen entered the professional leagues in the 80's and Almere City (formerly known as FC Omniworld) after the turn of the millenial.

[@kloothommel6569]

Well it is possible but it never happens. The KNVB leaves it up too the champion of the second division if they want too promote or not. But they all simply pass for it. If Vitesse is going to disappear it probably means another second squad of a eredivisie club will take its place. Feyenoord was interessted

[@PolakInHolland]

Chance missed to use a 'Bridge too far' pun,

[@user-ug6qu9se3e]

A Muscovy investment, how surprising. And that's how it has gone to this situation now.

[@lukascph]

Stichting Betaald Voetbal (SBV) just means "Foundation Professional Football". Saying that's part of the club's real name is a bit like saying Manchester United are actually called Manchester United Football Club Limited. 😉

[@erikthehalfabee6234]

Some bit of history of the glory days under Aalbers would have been nice. Including how it controversially ended

[@ScarFo92]

@HITC Sevens make a vid about Dinamo Bucharest ! You have insane content there :))

[@robertstrom5398]

I went to check on ajax after all the videos and then saw the -1 points and wondered what the hell.

[@BrunoRibeiro-po2bv]

Plz do a what's going on at Vitória FC (Mourinho's club)

[@JamesParker0221]

1:46 actually Sparta Rotterdam is from 1888 and is the oldest pro club in the Netherlands, Fortuna was founded in 1968

[@Kiev_The_Great]

Day 1 of demanding Alfie make "The Fall and Rise of Ipswich Town: The Kieran McKenna Story". You know it needs to be done.

[@charltonhtfc5409]

Can you do one on Huddersfield?

[@user-ul7pd7vf1l]

40 years of over spending comes to an end finally

[@simoncaton1226]

Ipswich video coming soon?

[@emandem9999]

Alfie, i appreciate you blessing us with your soccer history but when are you going to start making game predictions. im willing to put $$$$ down on your knowledge. 😁😁🤑

[@seandelap8587]

Wow it shows how bad the team has been that they would be in the exact same position even without all those points deducted which is an unusual situation to be in

[@Mgpw2008]

Can you do a video of “the statistically greatest year of all time” and maybe one of “the statistically greatest 5 consecutive years of all time”. A top 5 of both would be exciting.

[@thomasjohnson2862]

Got something of a philosophical football question you could answer: is it better to travel than arrive? Because the journey in promotions seems to often be more enjoyable than reaching your ceiling as a club, which might be mid-table in the Premier League

[@RHK45]

A Vitesse fan would sell their mother for money.

[@TheAlbumGuy]

I would love to see you do a video on Nottingham Forest and their current state. I'd love to know the details of the reasoning behind their 4-point deduction, their reasoning against the decision, and how they got away with not being punished while they were an EFL club seeing enormous losses for at least 4 consecutive seasons.

[@sawyertuide7636]

And also how they’re essentially 2021-22 Leeds Even if they stay up, the team is too incoherent to survive in the premier league long term. If they stay up, they’re probably fighting relegation again next year

[@n44ck]

Still cant believe they beat tottenham in the conference league 2 seasons ago

[@jackfuller6818]

As a Norwich fan, the sheer mention on the wolf sends shivers down my spine

[@sheeple04]

Its quite funny for me as a FC Twente fan, as Ricky is doing great for us this season and has been extremely important for us getting third (if we win this next match, we are certain of third) Was it really that bad at his stay at Norwich? Kinda strange how some Dutch players never really work in England, and vice versa for some other players playing in NL

[@jackfuller6818]

@@sheeple04 glad he's doing great for you guys and found a club where he's important, shame we never got the same version of ricky

[@giodhuha6771]

One thing for sure: Vitesse will always be remembered as Roman's adopted son.

[@nb_nic]

13:35 oh hell yea lewis baker, he helped get me a second place Europa League finish my second year in Liga NOS in my FM save lol

[@josouthwood438]

He said they took 5 players, almost a starting 11. I'm not sure what the rules are of using half player maybe thats why they didn't have a half a team on loan. Maybe cut a player.

[@alvuigi_07]

0:45 as a Sporting fan, i relate to Norwich fans

[@lkl3210]

Almost started watching their games this season when they loaned a 17 yo from my country who s a wonderkid in football manager, but they didn't play him so oh well

[@yusufkassim8236]

Everton will have the same fate given their history with FFP

[@matthewhernandez8342]

Hopefully not, they’re selling Pickford this summer.

[@edivranceanu1141]

can you do a video about what on earth is going on at panathinaikos

[@SilliusSodus]

Icl I almost forgot you existed I was checking out the Kendrick Lamar/Drake drama.

[@zugoofoegbu5556]

same😭

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Spotify is making insane amounts of money off they drama. 😭😭😭

[@3TRSH]

Rovers Player Spotted!!

[@alfonsohr02]

Me and my friends ran into a few of their players in Madrid during preseason and they seemed real happy that we asked for a photo. It was pretty wholesome but I guess we jinxed them💀

[@Hyde_Hill]

You missed it at the time however the Chinese ownership of ADO Den Haag is also worth a story.

[@pacyguy7144]

At least they arent an oil club like the one made in 2005 by russian oil money, that I can respect 👏

[@user-Ic7hx7wd9c]

European football leagues must disclose salaries I don't understand why many football fans are against revealing players' contract salaries. I think player salaries are either too low or overrated. I think Haaland's annual salary is over $50 million. Honestly, there is no way the EPL salary would be that low. Does anyone know anything about Mbappe's contract? Why didn't you make it public in the first place? I don't know if it's after tax or before tax. The media always says different things. The same goes for the salaries of Griezmann and Suarez during their time in Barcelona. To begin with, La Liga is not sure whether some players' salaries are before or after tax. Always changing. First of all, the salaries of Messi and Ronaldo from 2011 to 2018 are estimated to be after-tax salaries.) And this is not accurate regarding Messi's contract. Laporta said Messi's salary must be paid until 2025. How much did he get paid? And many believe Mane's wages at Liverpool were £100,000 a week. First of all, Mane's agent said his salary is higher than reported in the media.American leagues disclose salaries. Messi's annual salary for 2023, as revealed by the MLS Players' Association, is $20 million. The base annual salary is $12 million. The media reports that it is over $50 million, but in reality it is much less than this. Conversely, if you look at the wage bill, EPL clubs spend more money than the media reports, with Manchester City spending more than 300 million pounds, and Liverpool and Chelsea spending more than 250 million pounds. (Please disclose player salaries, contracts, and salaries. And why are some people asking (there will be comments asking why I don't disclose my salary, but I'm an ordinary person. Are ordinary people and sports players the same? And there is FFP in European football) La Liga also has a salary cap. If I were a soccer player.I would agree to disclosure of my salary. i am asian. Why do people who are opposed to revealing player salaries say that some players have high or low salaries? Football's wage is It's an estimate and unofficial. . , commentators, coaches, and even other players in the league don't know a player's contract and salary...As a side note, Saudi money is exaggerated. A Saudi reporter said that Benzema's annual salary is $50 million. Jordan Henderson's weekly salary was also not what was reported in the media Team annual salary and reveune were revealed on the UEFA official website. It was revealed that Tottenham spends a whopping 200 million euros and Liverpool spends 300 million euros on player salaries. There is a lot of difference from the media. (It seems like the salary is about 80 to 100 million euros more than the media reports.)psg.Barça spends 500 million euros. Leicester also spent more money than Sevilla in the 2022-23 season (but was relegated) What I'm saying is, please disclose player salaries. Haaland $50m seems right.. EPL salary seems too low. In fact, it seems to have been underreported

[@muhammadryanelyeddari8631]

18:29 I never knew Martin Odegaard played for Vitesse.

[@marcschramm6958]

Mason Mount, Lewis Baker, Marvelous Nakamba, Dominic Solanke, Christian Atsu and so on.

[@vinceely2906]

Still amazed at the 2009-10 season - How on earth did Ajax lose only 3 games score over 100 goals have a +86 goal difference and not win the league?!

[@Yneos_xyz]

NO WAY a video about my team😭

[@Ese96Agoaye]

I'd like to see some women's football pieces. Crystal Palace won promotion to the top flight for the first time. How do you think they'd get on?

[@shedexxx7891]

1:49 Sparta not fortuna 😂

[@ja1295]

Can we get a whats going on at Kingstonian? Once a big club in non league now relegated out of the Isthmian after being kicked out of their home ground

[@hardanheavy]

Excellent explanation. And despite all the crocodile tears being shed about tradional club shouldn't go under and all that, I am firmly hoping this cheating, lying, unsporting, attempting to buy the league bastard of a club go under and are never seen again. Let the memory they leave be one very clear one: cheaters lose!

[@mrbojangles8133]

other clubs can pick up a bargain though if they disappear and the administrators move in

[@matthewhernandez8342]

Damn it’s 4 am here

[@rintmacleanen2972]

I know more than two things about Vitesse but I’m Dutch. It was definitely a shock to find out how terrible their squad was at the beginning of this season.