A Utrecht court dismissed NAC Breda’s bid to replay the March 15 match against Go Ahead Eagles, where the club lost 6‑0. The challenge hinged on defender Dean James’s switch to Indonesian citizenship in March 2025, which would render him a non‑EU foreign player under Dutch rules.

In 2023, Dutch regulations limited dual citizenship, meaning players who change national allegiance must secure a work permit before returning to professional play. NAC argued the KNVB lacked awareness, but the association maintained that the league board acted within the rules, citing the absence of any knowledge about James’s eligibility for the match result in.

If the court had ruled in NAC’s favour, the KNVB warned that over 200 matches across the top two Dutch leagues could face similar scrutiny, including 133 in the Eredivisie. The decision protects the integrity of recent fixtures and limits the potential ripple effect across the season for clubs and players in 2026 season today.

NAC Breda now sits 17th, six points from safety with two games left. The ruling confirms the KNVB’s authority and keeps the current standings intact, allowing the club to focus on avoiding relegation without the threat of a replay overturning recent results for the season again today in the coming matches and the league schedule.