Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente faces relegation to the second-tier Jupiler League for "repeatedly and deliberately misleading" football authorities and other clubs about its finances, according to Peter Gilbert of SKY SPORTS. Twente could have had its professional playing license revoked, but the Dutch FA's licensing commission has instead given the club a "second chance" because of recent efforts to restore order and proposed the club be relegated.
In December, the Royal Dutch FA (KNVB) "banned Twente from European competition for three years for a deal to sell player transfer fee rights to an outside investor." KNVB Dir Bert van Oostveen said, "We feared the licensing commission would pull the plug completely" (SKY SPORTS, 5/18). The AP reported Twente interim Dir Onno Jacobs said the club's management was "shocked, disappointed and full of disbelief" and would carefully study the written decision before deciding on the next step. While appealing to the club and its fans to remain calm, Jacobs said, "This feels ... like a hammer blow" (AP, 5/18).
