The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is investigating a major passport forgery scandal, dubbed 'PassportGate', involving players in the Eredivisie and second-tier Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The probe centers on allegations that clubs fielded ineligible players who used falsified documents.
According to KNVB statements, the disciplinary committee could impose sanctions, including immediate points deductions, as early as this weekend. The investigation was launched after suspicions arose that several players had used forged passports to circumvent rules on non-EU player quotas or age restrictions.
The potential sanctions threaten to upend the league tables late in the season, creating significant sporting and financial uncertainty for the clubs involved. The KNVB has emphasized the need for a swift resolution to maintain the integrity of the competition.
This scandal follows previous integrity issues in Dutch football and has prompted calls for stricter oversight of player registration and documentation processes to prevent future violations.
