FC Twente will play in the Eredivisie next season "after a successful appeal against a decision to relegate the club as punishment for financial irregularities," according to the AP. The issue dates back to Feb. '14 when the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) told Twente to adjust its deal with investment company Doyen Sports "because it had too much say in transfer contracts." The KNVB said the contracts "breached transfer market regulations." The KNVB said that Twente's "efforts to clean up their act afterwards only won them a licence to play in the second division Jupiler League." But Twente appealed the decision, "despite a court ruling in favour of KNVB, and on Friday the KNVB's appeals committee ruled they may stay in the Eredivisie." Twente was, however, "hit with a fine" of €181,000 ($204,412). Club interim Dir Onno Jacobs said, "We are incredibly relieved. Of course we're ashamed about what happened in the past -- it was bad for the whole Netherlands and football. But we've cleaned up our act and would now like to close this chapter" (AP, 6/17).
