The Royal Dutch Football Association has warned the Eredivisie season may not be completed if NAC Breda are successful in a legal challenge, which could lead to 133 top flight matches having to be replayed.
NAC Breda, who are currently in the relegation zone in the Dutch Eredivisie, began legal action earlier this month in relation to their 6-0 defeat by Go Ahead Eagles on March 15.
A podcast had highlighted that Dean James had played in the match for Go Ahead Eagles, with pundit Rogier Jacobs explaining that the defender was ineligible to play.
Jacobs had pointed out that James would have required a work permit, after the Dutch-born full back had begun representing Indonesia last year.
Under Dutch law, Dutch nationality is automatically lost when someone voluntarily acquires another nationality.
With a series of Dutch-born players opting to represent Cape Verde, Indonesia and Suriname, they would be required to apply for and receive work permits.
The Royal Dutch Football Association has warned their season may not finish if a court rules in NAC Breda’s favour, arguing that 133 matches may have to be replayed
‘If you’re a Dutch player with Indonesian roots, you can choose to play for Indonesia,’ Jacobs said, as per ESPN.
‘You’ll get a passport there, but what a lot of players and clubs don’t know is in some cases, you’d therefore give up your Dutch nationality.
‘If NAC find out about that, file a lawsuit, then this match could end up being a win for them. I was at a drinks reception with someone from a law firm who specialises in this, and he said it could become a very big deal.’
After being notified that James was ineligible to play under Dutch law, NAC requested that the KNVB declare the result to be invalid and have the match replayed.
The KNVB competition board ruled the result would stand despite James being ineligible, leading to NAC launching an appeal.
A lawyer representing NAC claimed to the court on Tuesday that the competition board had not followed its own regulations.
‘This case is not about sentiment, but about a simple rule,’ said lawyer Tim Wilms, as per De Telegraaf.
‘Fielding a player who is not eligible to play. Go Ahead had fielded a player who was not eligible.
NAC Breda have argued their 6-0 loss to Go Ahead Eagles should be replayed after Dean James, right, featured despite not having a work permit after switching nationalites
‘The standard rule of the KNVB is that a match is then replayed, the reason for the ineligibility does not matter.’
KNVB lawyer Michiel van Dijk warned there would be far reaching consequences if NAC Breda’s request for the match to be replayed is granted, with Ajax, Feyenoord, Telstar, FC Volendam, Heracles Almelo, and TOP Oss among the clubs to have reportedly indicated they would then request for matches to be replayed.
Van Dijk confirmed 11 Eredivisie players across eight clubs are affected by the passport issue, having switched nationalities to represent Cape Verde, Indonesia or Suriname.
He stated 133 matches would be impacted, warning of a potential ‘snowball effect’ that could ultimately result in the league season not being completed.
‘They are in the final stages, the schedule is already under immense strain,’ Van Dijk said. ‘If more clubs initiate legal proceedings, neither of the men’s leagues can be completed.
‘The play-offs are already scheduled, and there are hard deadlines for the European competitions. Extensions are not possible. And finally: matches must be played on the field, not in court.’
A decision is expected to be announced on Monday.
Several players impacted by the case had been left out of their respective teams in recent weeks, although some have since returned after receiving residence permits.
