The players’ union VVCS is shocked that a football player was again attacked by a spectator during the FC Groningen match against sc Heerenveen on Sunday.
,,Field stormers, beer showers… Absurd! As VVCS, we once again point out to the KNVB the obligation to provide a safe working environment for players,” the VVCS writes on Twitter.
Groningen defender Jetro Willems was hit on Sunday by his ‘own’ supporter when he tried to calm down angry fans. There was unrest in the final phase of the duel with Heerenveen after another spectator had tried to enter the field. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük stopped the game for about fifteen minutes because the situation threatened to escalate.
The violence towards Willems caused a lot of commotion. The player himself remained calm. The club management of FC Groningen reacted furiously. The underage boy who allegedly hit was arrested by the police after the game.
Last month, things also went wrong with PSV’s match against Sevilla in the Europa League. A PSV supporter entered the field and attacked the goalkeeper of the Spanish club. The 20-year-old man from Roermond has been sentenced to three months in prison, one month of which is conditional.
Last year, FC Twente player Vaclav Cerny was hit by a fan of Heracles in the match against Heracles.