Iconic fallen club could be promoted in 12th place thanks to little-known play-off rule

Vitesse Arnhem could secure a surprise return to the Eredivisie this season despite sitting in the bottom half of the second division.

The Dutch side are 12th in the Eerste Divisie with two matches of the campaign remaining.

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However, a unique rule is set to give the club a spot in the promotion play-offs at the end of the season.

Whilst the top two are promoted directly to the top-flight, a further six clubs are joined by the 16th placed side in the Eredivisie for the play-offs.

Those berths are determined on both league position and the season’s four periods.

The Eerste Divisie campaign is split into four sections, with the top club in each crowned the period winner.

With two matches of the season remaining, Vitesse top the period four standings on goal difference.

Following Monday’s 3-0 away win over Jong Utrecht, they hold a slender lead over nearest challengers Willem II.

Winning the period is the only possible route into the play-offs for Vitesse, who cannot finish higher than 10th in the overall standings.

It comes after the club began the campaign on -12 points after losing an appeal against a previous points deduction last term.

Rudiger Rehm’s side host Maastricht on Friday night before a trip to Cambuur on the final day.

If successful in the play-offs, the club would secure a return to the Eredivisie after a two-year absence.

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Vitesse’s recent turmoil

Vitesse were relegated in 2024, ending a run of 35 seasons as a top-flught club.

Their relegation came after the club were deducted 18 points by the Dutch FA for breaking licence requirements.

It came amid a prolonged period of uncertainty over the club’s future with ongoing financial issues overshadowing their on-field exploits.

Vitesse were deducted a total of 27 points last season, causing them to finish bottom of the Eerste Divisie.

However, they avoided dropping into the third-tier as there is currently no relegation and promotion between the two divisions.

Despite staying up, Vitesse were stripped of their professional licence by the Dutch FA during the summer.

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As a result, they were provisionally removed from the Eerste Divisie due to becoming an amateur club.

Vitesse ultimately regained their licence in September and were re-admitted to the league along with their 12-point penalty.

Who are Vitesse?

Founded in 1892, Vitesse are one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands.

As well as winning the Dutch Cup on one occasion, they are five-time Eredivisie runners-up.

Vitesse have also competed in Europe 15 times during their history, most recently during the 2021/22 Conference League.

Their run to the last-16 represented their best-ever European performance and included a group stage win over Tottenham Hotspur.

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The club previously had an affiliation to Chelsea which saw young players loaned to the Dutch side.

Nemanja Matic, Mason Mount and Dominic Solanke were amongst those to enjoy loan spells at Vitesse during that time.