Vitesse's 35-year Eredivisie streak ends after 18-point deduction

Vitesse's Maximilian Wittek, right, scores his side's first goal during the Europa Conference League group G soccer match between Vitesse and Tottenham Hotspur at the GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands, Thursday, Oct.21, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem have been given an 18-point deduction due to licensing issues on Friday and will be relegated, ending 35 years of uninterrupted play in the top flight Eredivisie.

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) independent licensing committee imposed the deduction, placing the club at the bottom of the standings with minus one point with four matches remaining.