Last Sunday’s Classic was very disappointing in many respects. Yet it was also an edition that will go down in the history books: the Classic that was definitively discontinued. This afternoon Ajax and Feyenoord will play out the charged match, without an audience this time. What can we expect from that?
The Classic was permanently stopped after 55 minutes on Sunday, because fireworks were thrown onto the field twice from the stands. Earlier, a cup was also thrown on the field, but the perpetrator was then caught by the stewards and the match could be resumed.
The first time flares landed on the field was just before halftime, shortly after Feyenoord made it 0-3. The match was then stopped for a short time and later resumed. Just under ten minutes into the second half it happened again. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük then permanently stopped the match, as stated in the KNVB rules.
Threaten legal action
With the suspension of the match, there was also a lot of uncertainty about when it would be finished. Ajax actually played against FC Volendam tonight and both teams have a busy schedule due to European obligations. The first possible free date would be in November during a cup round in which both Ajax and Feyenoord do not yet have to participate.
Feyenoord were not keen to make up the remaining 35 minutes in November and were considering taking legal action if they did. According to trainer Arne Slot, otherwise it would be too much competition distortion. The KNVB decided on Monday that the match would be played today, without fans. The match between Ajax and Volendam must therefore be moved.
The people of Amsterdam, and also the people of Volendam, initially did not seem to agree and both threatened legal action. Ultimately, both teams accepted the KNVB’s decision, but dissatisfaction with how the football association had arrived at the decision remained.
No kick-off
After threats of legal action, a mayor who wants more measures and disappointed supporters, the ball will roll again in the Johan Cruijff Arena this afternoon at 2 p.m. This is done without a kick-off, because the game continues from the moment the match was stopped. This means that Feyenoord gets the ball about ten meters in Ajax’s half. At the moment the whistle blew, Feyenoord player Mats Wieffer was standing there with the ball. The match starts with a referee’s ball.
Wieffer is one of the players who should be on the field this afternoon. The same 22 names that were on the field when the match was stopped must start again. Only players who become injured before the game starts may be replaced. This injury must be proven by a KNVB club doctor, so that no tactical advantage can be gained from it.
The position of the Amsterdammers is therefore almost certainly known. Gorter; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Salah-Eddine; Van den Boomen, Taylor, Vos; Berghuis, Brobbey and Forbs are on the field. Anton Gaaei – Sunday’s schlemiel – and Borna Sosa are also no longer allowed to play, as they have already been replaced by Maurice Steijn. The coach therefore only has three substitutions left today, while his rival Slot can make five more substitutions.
Everything stays the same
Once Feyenoord has received the ball, time starts running. The clock starts at 54 minutes and 55 seconds. For the extra time after regular playing time, the moments in the second half when the game was stopped before the final stoppage are also included. Cards that were distributed on Sunday also remain in place. Kenneth Taylor is the only Ajax player with a yellow card.
Unfortunately, the score also remains on the scoreboard. Ajax faces a 0-3 deficit at 2 p.m.
No audience
The match will be played without an audience. No additional security measures have been announced. Mayor Halsema told Nieuwsuur on Monday that she expects Ajax to take extra responsibility in future matches with an audience: she advocated, among other things, one-on-one searches before the match and nets for the hard core profession.