If it is up to the mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, Ajax and the KNVB must take more responsibility to prevent rioters in the stadium. The mayor advocates, among other things, one-on-one searches before the match and nets for the hard core profession. Halsema emphasizes it once again, for her ‘the size is full’.
After the disturbances yesterday, which followed in the aftermath of the canceled Classic, Halsema already announced via Instagram that there measures have to come. At Nieuwsuur tonight, the mayor indicated what kind of measures she is talking about.
Nets, empty boxes and stadium bans
“The agreement is that fireworks are not allowed in the stadium, but it appears that this happens too often. Everyone must be searched before entering the stadium, but apparently this is not done enough.” Halsema therefore wants Ajax to search all supporters ‘one-on-one’ at the next matches.
The mayor would also prefer to see nets appear in front of the F-side, so that nothing can be thrown towards the field. “This is simply not possible anymore. It is so shameful what happened yesterday. A small group is ruining it for everyone and it must be stopped.” In addition, Halsema is considering lifelong stadium bans for the rioters and keeping sections in the stadium that misbehave empty for a while.
‘Ajax and KNVB must take responsibility’
Halsema himself, together with the triangle – mayor, police and Public Prosecution Service – already takes preventive measures at Ajax matches. By designating some areas, where many supporters gather, as a safety risk area. The police can search anyone in those areas for weapons and fireworks. The KNVB and Ajax are responsible for security in the stadium itself, the mayor wants the two parties to ‘really take responsibility’ to stop the rioters.
But if that responsibility is not taken, the mayor must take action to have the measures applied in the stadium. “I can decide to include the aforementioned measures in the conditions for a permit, otherwise they are not allowed to play. And in the most extreme case I can say: there will be no play. But that is a decision you never want to make, because then you hit all the supporters who just come to enjoy.”
It is not yet entirely clear whether Ajax will apply the measures. According to the mayor, Ajax is discussing ‘numerous matters’. “I have informed the club that I have had enough.”
Discontinued Classic
The Classic was played on Sunday after 55 minutes permanently discontinued, 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.
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 permanently stopped the match, as stated in the KNVB rules.
The Rotterdam team will come to the Johan Cruijff Arena on Wednesday afternoon for the remaining 35 minutes that still have to be played. The match starts at 2 p.m. and will be played without fans. The match with FC Volendam, which was actually supposed to be played on Wednesday evening, has to be moved. Ajax does not agree with the KNVB’s decision and is considering legal action against the Football Association.
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