Dutch FA finds no evidence of Chelsea controlling club policy at Vitesse Arnhem following probe

The Dutch football federation (KNVB) has dismissed suggestions Chelsea have control over the operations of Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem, following an independent investigation.

Since 2010, Chelsea have regularly loaned their youngsters to the Dutch side in order to provide them with first-team football opportunities. Blues youngsters Lewis Baker, Dominic Solanke, Isaiah Brown, Danilo Pantic and Nathan are the latest to have made such a move, joining on loan deals in the summer.

But in April 2014, the Dutch authority announced it would take a closer look at Vitesse's club structure and their relationship with the Premier League giants. That decision followed allegations levelled by Merab Jordania, a former majority shareholder.

In 2013, Jordania sold his Vitesse shares to Alexander Chigirinsky, a long-standing associate of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. During the latter stages of the 2013-14 season, Jordania claimed Vitesse have been warned by Chelsea to ease off in their push for the Eredivisie title and Champions League qualification. Uefa rules say two clubs under the same ownership cannot play in the same competition.

But following a year-long investigation, the Dutch FA has concluded that while Chelsea and Vitesse do share a relationship, it is perfectly within regulations.

A statement released by the KNVB read: "The study concluded that there is no evidence that Chelsea has control in the policies of Vitesse. The study shows that there is no written partnership agreement established between the clubs. Chelsea and Vitesse collaborate in some areas, such as the hiring of players. But this between Chelsea and Vitesse is in accordance with the regulations and corresponds with other loan agreements between Vitesse and other clubs."

The KNVB adds Jordania, who made the initial allegations, refused to respond to its request for cooperation and concludes they are satisfied there is no third party involved in the policy decisions made by Vitesse.