First division football clubs Cambuur and De Graafschap have lost the first round of their legal battle to be admitted to the Eredivisie next season.

The two clubs at the top of the first division were in line for promotion next season but the Dutch football association decided last month to end this year’s league competitions immediately, and not to move any clubs between leagues.

That decision meant Ado Den Haag and RKC Waalwijk are both safe in the Eredivisie, while Cambuur and De Graafschap remain in the first division.

‘There is nothing in the KNVB rule book about making the competition shorter,’ the judge said. ‘This is an extremely unusual situation and the KNVB was forced to take a decision in the short term.’