Festive and manageable evening in Amsterdam, 51 arrests

The festivities for the national championship of Ajax went off without major problems in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening. The Amsterdam police force looks back on a “festive and manageable evening”. 51 people were arrested, but only a few had to spend the night in jail.

According to the police, the arrests were mainly the result of fireworks, insults or disturbing public order. The official celebration took place in the Johan Cruijff ArenA after Ajax’s win, but there was also a big party on the Leidseplein. Despite the rain, there was fun and people threw their hands in the air because of the big win of the Amsterdam club against sc Heerenveen (5-0).

As a precaution, a lot of police were on hand at Leidseplein. Because of the crowds in the city, the so-called triangle (mayor, chief public prosecutor and police commissioner) gathered in the main office on the Elandsgracht. For that reason, Mayor Femke Halsema was not at the ceremony of the club in the stadium.

Just after midnight, according to a reporter from Het Parool, the Leidseplein became busier due to the influx of supporters who came to the city center from the ArenA. However, around 1:00 am the square emptied without any problems and the festivities were over.