
Chelsea
and Vitesse Arnhem have been cleared of having an improper relationship, the
Dutch football association (KNVB) said on Tuesday.
The independent probe established no undue influence by the Premier League
champions over the Dutch club, to whom they have been regularly loaning
players over the past five years.
The KNVB had ordered an investigation into the ownership and structure of
the club following allegations by former owner Merab Jordania that Chelsea
heavily influenced policy at the club.
But the association said its investigation had shown no written agreement
between the two clubs and all loan agreements had been arranged in line with
the regulations.
"In the interests of the integrity of Dutch football we gave an independent
commission powers to make a broad and intensive investigation," said a KNVB
statement.
"Vitesse offered full co-operation and allowed access to all documentation,
including the club's shareholding agreements, loan agreements and meeting
notes for the period 2010-14."
The association also said Jordania did not respond to requests to co-operate
with the investigation.
Vitesse, who sit fifth in the Eredivisie, have taken Chelsea players on loan
since 2010, including Nemanja Matic, Tomas Kalas and Gael Kakuta.
Five of Chelsea's brightest young talents - Lewis Baker, Dominic Solanke,
Izzy Brown, Nathan and Danilo Pantic - are all currently on loan with the
Dutch club.