The Eredivisie clash between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord faced an unexpected interruption. Fans turned chaotic, hurling flares onto the pitch and causing considerable disruption, as mentioned by the BBC.
As tensions escalated, rioting fans outside the Johan Cruyff Arena tried to break in post-match suspension. Amsterdam police had to resort to tear gas to control the unruly crowd. “Following the game’s suspension, supporters attempted to enter the main stadium entrance forcibly. Normalcy has since been regained,” reported the police on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.
Amidst these disruptions, Feyenoord was leading with a 3-0 score. The events leading to the match’s halting included a plastic cup thrown onto the field and, more worryingly, flares disregarding the displayed warning against lighting fireworks on the stadium’s big screen.
Ajax coach Maurice Steijn expressed disappointment after the chaotic incident, labelling it a “dark day.”
Ajax Distances Itself from the Chaos
Ajax’s management quickly released a statement emphasizing that such unruly behaviour does not represent the club’s values. The statement read, “While we understand the disappointment stemming from the season’s rocky start, it doesn’t justify such misconduct. We apologise to all who felt unsafe or have been impacted.”
Despite being the 36-time Dutch champions, Ajax’s current season appears bleak. They’ve only savoured one victory in the past four games, positioning them just two points away from the relegation threat.
In a released statement, Eredivisie informed, “De Klassieker was indefinitely suspended due to recurrent disruptions on the field. Further details regarding the match’s continuation will be provided soon.”
Feyenoord Expresses Discontentment
The Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot, voiced his frustrations, especially since his team displayed a remarkable performance. He mentioned on the club’s website, “This chaos deprived us of a beautiful opportunity. Although we understand the taken decisions, there’s no sense of triumph.”
With the match’s fate hanging in the balance, the Dutch Football Association, KNVB, hinted at a possible decision by Monday. However, they cautioned that it might extend further.
Arne Slot acknowledged the potential outcomes but stressed the inherent challenges, stating, “Regardless of the decision, competition distortion is inevitable. It’s up to KNVB to minimize it.”
Ajax’s performance in recent seasons has been noteworthy. Their remarkable run over the last 12 seasons saw them clinching the championship title seven times and finishing as runners-up on five occasions. However, last season, they only managed a third-place finish and missed out on the Champions League qualification for the first time in over a decade.
