Dutch top-flight club FC Utrecht is preparing for legal action to fight the Royal Netherlands Football Association decision to cancel the remainder of the league season and allocate places in next season's European competitions based on the standings when play was halted by the coronavirus crisis.
Utrecht likely will not be alone in challenging the decision that also said there would be no relegation and promotion between the country's two top leagues.
The Netherlands was the first top-tier European league to cancel the remainder of the season. Neighboring Belgium could also end its season at a meeting Monday.
Cambuur Leeuwarden, leader of the second-tier Keuken Kampioen division, is furious that it was denied promotion.
“I can't understand it,” said the club's director, Ard de Graaf. “It feels very unjust.” He said the club was considering its position.
Utrecht owner Frans van Seumeren told local broadcaster RTV Utrecht on Friday night that his club will “use all the lawyers we can” in a bid to overturn the decision.
When the season was canceled, Utrecht was sixth in the Eredivisie, three points behind fifth-place Willem II, which occupied the last Europa League spot. However, Utrecht played one game less and had a superior goal difference. It also had reached the final of the KNVB cup competition.
