No away supporters are allowed to travel to the Cambuur Stadium this season. Mayor Sybrand Buma of Leeuwarden has decided this.
Things went wrong on Sunday after the game against SC Heerenveen. Vandalism was caused, buses with away fans were pelted with paving stones and a supporter of SC Cambuur was seriously injured in the head by a thrown stone. Because there are ‘continuous and increasing disturbances of public order’, away supporters are no longer welcome this season.
The decision was taken after consultation between the Public Prosecution Service, the police and Mayor Buma. According to the municipality, the violence and disturbances after the Frisian derby were an ‘absolute low point’. Throwing stones at fans of the visiting club and agents is ‘unacceptable’. According to the municipality, dozens of people were injured and the material damage runs into the tens of thousands of euros.
The municipality of Leeuwarden has announced that – despite the enormous efforts of riot police, police, stewards and security guards – it is no longer possible to sufficiently guarantee public order and safety in the current situation. Because the disturbances are mainly aimed at the visiting public, the mayor is forced to make this decision.
Past incidents
On January 8, the police also had to intervene around the Cambuur stadium. Then, after the match against FC Volendam lost by Cambuur, riots broke out, in which the ME had to charge and two people were arrested. In October last year, the ME also had to intervene to keep fans of Cambuur and FC Twente apart. Then no one was arrested.
Ard de Graaf, general manager of Cambuur, calls Buma’s decision a ‘draconian measure’. “On Sunday, we were shocked by the violence of the disturbances. But as far as we were concerned, that deserved a thorough evaluation and discussion.”
No conversation
According to De Graaf, no discussion took place in the so-called ‘quadrilateral’ – the consultation between the mayor, police, Public Prosecution Service and the management of Cambuur. “We are not included in this. We have been informed that no away audience is allowed in the stadium for the rest of the season and I think that is a pity. I think you should talk to each other after such a Sunday. I also said that to Buma after the announcement. Given our good cooperation so far, I find this quite intense.”
De Graaf is clear about the penalty – home games without away supporters for the rest of the season. “I think that is a draconian measure. There was also an intermediate step. For example, by not allowing Heerenveen supporters in the next derby.”