A lot of heart for a 29-year-old man from Waalwijk. He was acquitted on Tuesday of attempted serious assault after a football match between two first teams in Moergestel. The man is said to have kicked an opponent of home club Audacia as a Berkdijk player in April 2023. Both the public prosecutor and the police judge in Breda believe that there is insufficient evidence for this. The man was therefore acquitted.
“This does not mean that what happened is not bad. It’s just terrible and unfortunately things like this happen more often on a football field. But I cannot convict you,” the police judge added.
“No prosecution? Incomprehensible.”
What is striking about the case is that the man who would almost certainly have kicked the Audacia player is walking free. This player from Berkdijk, a football club from Kaatsheuvel, was mentioned by name during the hearing. To the frustration of the public prosecutor and the lawyer of the man who was on trial, the case against the ‘real leader’ was dismissed. The lawyer for the Waalwijker called it ‘incomprehensible’, but if there is insufficient convincing evidence, it is difficult to prosecute someone, let alone punish them.
What was going on that Sunday afternoon in Moergestel? According to the Waalwijker who stood before the police judge on Tuesday, dark-skinned players from his team were regularly treated unfairly during the match. “That happens often, especially when we have to play football in small villages,” said the now ex-Berkdijk player (he stopped playing football after the incident). “Beer was also thrown during the match.”
Things got completely out of hand when the referee wanted to give a player a yellow card after a foul. He didn’t get the chance, because he was kicked afterward and a riot ensued. Supporters also fought with each other. The referee chose his own money and stopped the match between the two fourth division teams.
“I felt attacked.”
When Berkdijk’s team wanted to go to the dressing room, the Waalwijker was grabbed by the neck by the later victim: “I felt attacked.” Startled and panicked, he made a kicking motion. Without hitting the Audacia player, as clear camera images show.
The victim was kicked by two other people: on his upper body and his face. He was not seriously injured, but the way in which force was used was reason for the Public Prosecution Service (OM) to prosecute. With the unsatisfactory result that ultimately no one will be convicted.
The police judge hopes that the Waalwijker will one day change his mind and start playing football again. He needs to think about that again. And above all, consult with his wife. A few weeks before she was due to give birth to their first child, her husband received the summons for this Tuesday’s trial. It led to a lot of stress for the couple.
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