By Dr Rijkele Betten, Managing Editor, Sports Law and Taxation
Football clubs in the Netherlands are increasingly confronted with youth players who suddenly become ineligible to play because of passport or nationality issues.
This can even happen to young players, who have grown up as children in the Netherlands and have been part of a club’s academy for years.
The problem arises when players (or their parents) apply for another nationality in order to be eligible for that country’s national team.
For example, Suriname or Indonesia.
In some situations, this may lead to the loss of the Netherlands nationality, with immediate consequences for their right to play in the Netherlands.
As non-EU origin players they need a higher minimum salary and a work permit.
There is also the risk that matches in which these players have participated may be declared invalid or have to be replayed if their eligibility is challenged afterwards.
This shows, once again, how immigration law, nationality rules and sports regulations are closely intertwined – with practical consequences both on and off the field of play.
Dr Rijkele Betten may be contacted by e-mail at ‘