Vitesse foreign owners dismiss board, club says firings invalid

Four foreign owners of Vitesse have dismissed the club's supervisory board and its management. The club's website states that the dismissals are not considered legally valid.

The shareholders – Timo Braasch, Leon Müller, Brian Mornaghi and Flint Reilly – reported to the KNVB that interim director Joost de Wit, general director Ben Mansvelder and supervisors Claudia Lap and Jan Hermen de Baas have been put on standby.

Vitesse insists that the dismissed officials will not vacate their positions. The club argues that the foreign shareholders cannot unilaterally remove them.

The shareholders claim to hold more than seventy‑five percent of the shares. The club counters that those shares have already been transferred to Sterkhouders Vitesse Arnhem BV.

According to the club, the sale of the shares includes a contractual clause that major decisions at a shareholders' meeting require mutual agreement. The current dispute shows that such consent has not been reached.

Despite the turmoil, Vitesse hopes to reach an agreement with the KNVB and the licensing committee this week regarding the takeover of the club. The outcome will determine the future governance of Vitesse Arnhem.