NAC Breda lodged an appeal with the KNVB, the Dutch FA, after losing their March 15th away game to Go Ahead Eagles 6-0. Relegation-threatened NAC alleged that Go Ahead Eagles fielded an ineligible player and that the match should be replayed. This player was Dean James, the Eagles left-back, who received Indonesian nationality in March 2025 and has played 5 games for Pasukan Garuda so far.
NAC Breda claim that Dean James is ineligible because he's registered as a Dutch football player. Under Dutch law, obtaining Indonesian nationality means he forfeits his Dutch passport.
The KNVB announced in early April that it would not discipline Go Ahead Eagles, while confirming that James was an ineligible player.
Also read: The Dutch 'sports passport' crisis explained: Causes, issues & solutions
'League might not be completed'
NAC Breda took the KNVB to court over the matter. If the judge rules in favour of the Breda club, the Eredivisie and the KNVB might be in big trouble, KNVB director Marianne van Leeuwen told ESPN.
"It can go in a lot of different directions. We believe this would lead to chaos because many other clubs have filed claims and, if the court were to rule in NAC’s favour, would also file complaints and initiate summary proceedings. In that case, it might not be possible to complete the league season,” Van Leeuwen said.
Following NAC's appeal, Ajax, Feyenoord, Telstar, FC Volendam, Heracles Almelo, and TOP Oss all came forward privately to state that if NAC win the case, they would go to court, too.
The case could affect a total of 133 Eredivisie games involving players who recently obtained Indonesian or Surinamese nationality, KNVB attorney Michiel van Dijk said during Tuesday's hearing.
According to NAC Breda attorney Tim Wilms, it's not a case about nationalities, but about a 'simple rule': "Fielding an ineligible player. Go Ahead had fielded an ineligible player. The standard rule of the KNVB is that the match must then be replayed. The reason for the player’s ineligibility is irrelevant.”
The court in Utrecht will deliver its ruling in the case next Monday at 12.00 CET.
