Weekend football group challenges KNVB’s mixed‑division plan

The Kerngroep Weekendvoetbal, represented by eight clubs including Spero of Elst, contested the KNVB’s decision to mix Saturday and Sunday clubs in the second and third amateur divisions, but the Midden‑Nederland preliminary injunction judge rejected their claim on Friday, permitting the association to implement the mixed‑division policy.

The Kerngroep Weekendvoetbal presented its case through eight clubs, among them Spero of Elst, arguing that the KNVB’s mixed‑division plan violated the principles of reasonableness and fairness. They contended that forcing Saturday and Sunday clubs to share a league from the upcoming amateur season undermined established arrangements for principle Saturday clubs.

On Friday, the Midden‑Nederland preliminary injunction judge ruled that the KNVB’s decision does not breach reasonableness and fairness, thereby rejecting the group’s request. The judgment emphasized that the football association enjoys policy freedom and that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the KNVB could not have reached the decision reasonably.

The court also concluded that the Amateur Football Supervisory Board and the Amateur Football Members Council had been sufficiently involved and informed. Accordingly, the judge found no procedural deficiency in the KNVB’s consultation process.

Regarding principle Saturday clubs, the judge noted that earlier agreements recorded in a covenant must be honoured. Nevertheless, the KNVB pledged to re‑examine the definition of principle Saturday clubs and to discuss it with the Members Council and relevant interest organisations.

Stan Raben, spokesperson for the Kerngroep Weekendvoetbal and chairman of Tweede‑klasse side SV Grol, described the verdict as "very disappointing." He added that the group had believed they possessed strong arguments against the KNVB’s plan.

The Kerngroep announced it will review the detailed judgment in the coming week to determine its next steps. Raben indicated that the group will consider possible further actions after the verdict has been fully absorbed.

The KNVB reiterated on its website that a decline in the number of Sunday teams makes it increasingly difficult to assemble attractive regional competitions. Consequently, the association will publish the mixed‑division allocations on 3 July for the Second to Fourth Divisions and on 10 July for the First to Fifth Divisions, and will support clubs in the practical preparations for the new season.