Agents were cornered a year ago after the football match between NAC Breda and NEC. They were no longer sure of their lives. A number of them were so affected, literally and figuratively, that they had to temporarily stop working. The court will rule Monday morning in a lawsuit against about 30 fans of NAC for their part in the riots.
It was an orgy of violence after the game in the Rat Verlegh Stadium in Breda. NAC had just lost the decisive final match for promotion to the Eredivisie (1-2). NAC fans turned out to be a bad loser: they took their frustration out on the police and Mobile Unit (ME). Firecrackers and stones were thrown.
“Seasoned police officers had never experienced this.”
“Seasoned police officers said they had never experienced this before, it was that bad.” For example, the president of the court tried to make the seriousness of the case clear to the hooligans (aged 17 to 43) who were on trial.
Most of the suspects were charged with public assault and vandalism. The Public Prosecution Service demanded, among other things, prison sentences of up to 100 days and 200 hours of community service. Officers believe that there was attempted murder and that they are entitled to compensation.
“I was afraid I would never come home again.”
Some officers told about the violence of May 23 last year. “I survived, but I was terrified,” said one of them. “I was afraid I would never come home.” They were kicked and beaten and they were pelted with crush barriers, fireworks, stones and bottles.
The NAC fans tried to break into the stadium at one point. When that failed, they vented their anger on an riot police bus. The occupants felt like rats in a trap. Other riot police were able to rescue them, after which the supporters targeted cops and police buses. One of those officers said they wanted to destroy him “because of a lost football game.”
Due to the corona rules in force at the time, only 2500 spectators were allowed in the stadium. The elimination, the umpteenth sporting setback, was the last push to go on like this.
“I have to sit on the blisters now.”
During the hearing, the suspects were also allowed to have their say. Not everyone took advantage of this. A man from West Brabant, who is a linesman in his spare time, was ashamed of his eyes. He threw an extinguished torch at the police. “I was very ashamed of this. I am not that kind of person at all.” Another follower confessed that he had done something stupid and that he now has to sit on the blisters.
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Large group of NAC supporters in court after riots at NAC stadium