Court bans appointment of Van Gaal as Ajax CEO

A Dutch appeals court has ruled Louis van Gaal cannot become CEO of Ajax, a victory in board member Johan Cruyff's fight to have Van Gaal's appointment overturned.

The ruling was the latest twist in an acrimonious boardroom battle at the four-time European champion between Cruyff and four other supervisory board members.

The Amsterdam Appeal Court said in a written decision on Tuesday that other board members "deliberately put Cruyff offside" by appointing Van Gaal in November without adequately consulting Cruyff.

Defending Eredivisie champion Ajax is struggling for form on the field and is sixth in the standings.