The Hague (Holland), Dec 29 (IANS): In the absence of defendants, the court here has deferred to January 5 its verdict in the case of Dutch football club ADO Den Haag against its Chinese owner United Vansen (UVS).

During Wednesday's hearing, the defendants and their lawyers were not present in the courtroom. Judge Gerard van Ham. therefore. asked if ADO wanted to comment on the summons and on the way the plaintiffs had notified the lawsuit to UVS, a Chinese sports marketing company owned by Wang Hui, Xinhua new agency reported.

After a five-minute session, the judge scheduled the verdict for January 5.

ADO demands that the Chinese owner pay the club 2.3 million euros out of a total of 3.7 million euros, which according to the club was agreed upon in August 2015, to be paid in three instalments.

None of these deadlines were met, according to ADO and it lasted until April 2016 when the club claims to have received 1.9 million euros.

Therefore, the club now demands, including interest and fines for the long wait, a total of 2.3 million euros.