NAC Breda lodged an appeal with the KNVB after the 6-0 defeat, claiming Go Ahead Eagles left-back Dean James was ineligible. NAC claimed that Dean James was playing with a Dutch registration assigned to his Dutch passport, which he had forfeited after obtaining Indonesian nationality.
Dean James switched nationality in March 2025 to play international football for Indonesia, for whom he's played 5 games. The left-back was left out of Go Ahead Eagles' squad against PEC Zwolle to avoid any potential consequences.
NAC's appeal sent shock waves through Dutch football, prompting clubs to sideline players for fear of punishment and fines.
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On Wednesday, the KNVB announced that Go Ahead Eagles will not face any penalties: "This is because neither the player nor the club were aware of the automatic consequences of taking on a nationality other than Dutch. Furthermore, it has become apparent that the consequences of adopting a different nationality were largely unknown in professional football," the statement said.
The KNVB did acknowledge that Dean James was not eligible to play. The FA did not communicate whether the game between Go Ahead Eagles and NAC Breda would have to be replayed, as NAC demanded in the appeal.
NAC released a statement saying they await the final decision.