KNVB announces stricter measures when throwing or entering the field: ‘Football must be safe for all true supporters’ | Dutch football

“Wednesday evening we all saw a scandalous incident where a player was not safe on the pitch. Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated incident. Obviously we condemned it, because this and other misbehavior in the stadiums should never be considered normal. That is not the end of it for the KNVB,” Van Leeuwen begins her argument.

“The field is sacred. The players and everyone else on the field must be able to do their job safely at all times. That is why we are immediately introducing stricter measures,” says Van Leeuwen in the run-up to round 28 in the Eredivisie and round 32 in the Kitchen Champion Division. Leader Feyenoord will play at home again this weekend, Sunday evening (8 p.m.) against RKC.

“If objects are thrown on the field, the referee decides to stop play and the teams and referees go to the changing rooms. If they resume the game and objects are thrown on the field again, the referee decides to abandon the game permanently. If a player or referee is hit with an object from the audience, the referee immediately decides to stop the match permanently.”

,,When a ‘supporter’ enters the field, the referee decides to stop play and the teams and referees go to the changing rooms. If they resume the game and another ‘supporter’ enters the field, the referee decides to stop the game definitively. If a ‘supporter’ enters the field and attacks a player or referee, the referee immediately decides to stop the match permanently.”

The KNVB hope that the announced measures will have their effect next weekend in round 28 of the Eredivisie. ,,With these steps, potential perpetrators will hopefully no longer take it into their heads to attack the main players on the field. We’re done with that. Safety in and around a stadium is a top priority and we do this together with clubs, supporters, municipalities, the Public Prosecution Service, the police and the cabinet. The starting point remains that football must be accessible, welcoming and safe for all true supporters.”