FC Twente future under threat after three-year European competition ban

FC Twente have been banned from European competition for three years by the Dutch football association and threatened to have their playing licence permanently revoked.

The KNVB has announced the punishment, which also includes a fine for the financially-troubled club, following their failure to reveal the full details of a third-party ownership contract with Malta-based sports investment group Doyen.

Third-party investments in the economic rights of professional football players are banned by FIFA, and FC Twente, who are currently 16th in the Eredivisie, have accepted the punishment.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Royal Netherlands Football Association said Twente "deliberately misled" the governing body about a deal to sell the rights to a player transfer fee to an outside investor.

The statement read: "FC Twente has suppressed some additions in the contract with investment company Doyen Sports and thereby deliberately misled the license commission.

"This is contrary to the licensing regulations. As a result, the licence of FC Twente is revoked, unless the club cooperate fully with an independent investigation into the current structure of the club.

"FC Twente will not take part in European competitions for the next three seasons and a fine of £32,830 will be imposed."

Details of a partnership between the club and Doyen first emerged in January 2014 and were tested against licensing regulations, and not found to be in breach.

But further details emerged in November this year leading to the KNVB re-opening the investigation, and additions in the contract broke the country's football licensing regulations.

Twente, who are awaiting the verdict of the Enschede municipal council giving them a £23.2m investment, were twice deducted points earlier this year for failing to meet financial standards. 

On Tuesday they said: "We respect the opinion of the license commission and accept the penalties imposed. We therefore draw no appeal.

"The core of our club football is being hit hard. We will not be allowed to participate in European football in coming seasons and that hurts, not only for players and staff, but for our supporters, who stand wholeheartedly behind FC Twente.

"It is clear that we will do everything in our power to never get into such a situation again."