By Mark Baber
December 23 – An independent commission set up after former Vitesse Arnhem owner Merab Jordania claimed Chelsea influenced policy at the club has cleared the two clubs of having an improper relationship, according to an announcement of the KNVB.
The Dutch association said in a statement on Tuesday that the investigation had found no written agreement between the two clubs and all loan agreements had been arranged in line with the regulations.
According to the statement, “In the interests of the integrity of Dutch football we gave an independent commission powers to make a broad and intensive investigation. “
“Vitesse offered full co-operation and allowed access to all documentation, including the club’s shareholding agreements, loan agreements and meeting notes for the period 2010-14.’
The association also said that Jordania had failed to respond to requests to co-operate with the investigation.
Chelsea have bought just one player from Vitesse Arnhem (Marco Van Ginkel in July 2013) but have signed the following loan deals with the Dutch club since 2010: (Data from www.11v11.com)
Whilst the Chelsea and Vitesse Arnhem investigation appears to have cleared both clubs of wrongdoing, a separate investigation into documents relating to a deal between Doyen Sports Investments and FC Twente which allegedly gave the investment company a cut of player transfer fees continues.
The problem underlying these issues for the Dutch Federation is, of course, the wealth and power of the English clubs who enjoy the backing of massive TV revenues, which makes it impossible for Dutch clubs to compete in the transfer market.
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