The Dutch first division game between record champions Ajax Amsterdam and FC Groningen was canceled due to an out-of-control pyrotechnic show. Referee Bas Nijhuis initially interrupted the game for over 40 minutes when the score was 0-0 in the 5th minute, but even after the game was resumed the game continued and the game ended immediately.
A number of flares and rockets from the Ajax Ultras landed on the lawn of the Johan Cruyff Arena and even set parts of the pitch on fire. The fans wanted to commemorate a deceased fan. That backfired.
“If you see what’s happening here, it’s really scandalous. If it happens again, you can imagine what will happen,” said referee Nijhuis when he first went into the dressing room at ESPN. “Shots are fired on the field. That has nothing to do with football anymore.”
After the long break, the lights were fired up again, the Ajax players around captain Davy Klaassen gestured in disbelief towards the stands. “I can no longer guarantee the safety of the players,” said Nijhuis – and finally stopped the game. When and how the duel between the sixth and seventh in the Eredivisie table will continue remained unclear.
At the beginning of the month, Ajax supporters caused the game to be interrupted in the home game against SC Heerenveen (1-1) due to pyrotechnics.