Hundreds of supporters from Tottenham Hotspur gathered this afternoon at the Paardenmarkt in Alkmaar. Before the match in the Europa League against AZ, the English fans had to exchange their match voucher to a stadium ticket in the fan zone on the square. And that causes nuisance among local residents and catering establishments.
The atmosphere is a friendly Thursday afternoon in Alkmaar. Spread throughout the city are groups of supporters from Tottenham Hotspur together. They enjoy a beer in the spring sun.
Supporters buses block entrances
The municipality of Alkmaar tries to keep the English supporters in one place as much as possible to prevent any confrontations. A fan zone is rigged up on the horse market every time. To the displeasure of local residents who therenot happy at all be with it.
“I have to go from work earlier, because the supporters buses block my entrance,” says hairdresser Sandra Dronkers. She has an apartment that looks out on the horse market.
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Sandra is not an opponent of football or festivities around the horse market, but the amount of it begins to be annoyed lately. “Alkmaar Relief, King’s Day, Oktoberfest, Kermis and then all the European home games of AZ,” Sandra sums up.
Municipality is investigating alternatives
There is a small possibility that the fan zone on the horse market will be placed in a different place from next football season. In the run -up to next season, the municipality is looking for alternative locations. But the municipality does not take that decision alone: this is done in consultation with the triangle (Mayor Anja Schouten, the police and the Public Prosecution Service).
Sandra sees enough options outside the city center. “We have beautiful locations. At De Meent we have a site where you can go directly to the football stadium via the ring road. Then you also prevent a traffic infarction here in the center,” she concludes.