Vitesse had to surrender 18 points because it could not meet the requirements of the KNVB licensing committee. This means that the club from Arnhem will no longer play in the Eredivisie next season after 35 years. But that punishment apparently had a liberating effect, because all of Arnhem had feared even worse: the disappearance of the club.
That danger has still not been completely averted, but the club says it is doing everything it can to ensure that there is a decent budget for the summer.
This afternoon, with almost 18,000 spectators, the Gelredome was a lot better filled than at the previous home games, with which the Arnhem public wanted to send a signal that they continue to support the team. It didn’t miss its effect. Vitesse started brightly and was the better team against Fortuna, who had already finished.
Paxten Aaronson gave Vitesse the lead in the 22nd minute and not much later it could have been 2-0, but Gyan de Regt missed.
Still behind
Inigo Córdoba equalized for Fortuna Sittard out of nowhere in the 44th minute. Just after halftime, things seemed to go wrong again for the Arnhem team when Justin Lonwijk was allowed to score from 11 meters in the 50th minute. Defender Ramon Hendriks of Vitesse had knocked out substitute Kristoffer Peterson. Lonwijk used the penalty flawlessly.
Substitute Marco van Ginkel scored Vitesse’s second goal in the 68th minute. Aaronson had the almost 18,000 spectators in the Gelredome cheering again (3-2). Vitesse ended the game with ten men. Giovanni van Zwam received a second yellow card in the final phase.
It was Vitesse’s first victory in two months.
Tags: Points deduction relegation liberating Vitesse win Fortuna RTL News
