The prosecutor amateur football of the KNVB is investigating the outburst of violence during the amateur football game Meedhuizen-Muntendam on Saturday. Daan Schippers of the KNVB in Zeist confirms this.
According to him, the KNVB is now aware of the fight during the match in the fifth class F Saturday amateurs. “The prosecutor is therefore starting an investigation and the statements will be requested,” says Schippers.
The Meedhuizen-Muntendam duel got completely out of hand just before half-time on Saturday. Striking blows and karate-like kicks have been dealt. Muntendam’s trainer said he was also a victim himself. The referee not only blew his whistle before half-time, but stopped the game, given the after-effects of the massive brawl on the field.
The KNVB has been concerned about the violence on the fields for some time. The football association has various ways to reduce fights such as in Meedhuizen. One of these is the introduction in 2016 of a private prosecutor for amateur football. “On the basis of his investigation, the prosecutor will make a settlement proposal to the club or clubs and possibly individual players,” explains Schippers.
If the parties involved do not agree, they can appeal their sentence to the disciplinary committee. If they still do not agree with the verdict there, then there is still a course to be taken to the appeals committee. The KNVB spokesman knows that it will be weeks, if not months, before a binding decision is reached.
KNVB no longer sees but also no fewer incidents on the field
In numbers, the KNVB currently no longer sees violent incidents on the fields. “But also no less than before, say before corona,” explains Schippers. ,,We see in those incidents that there is often aggression and little respect towards referees and decisions. In the field, a referee can still do something about that with some authority, you hope. But in terms of peripheral matters, the public and everything around it, you certainly see a hardening with hassle and curses.”
The KNVB spokesperson fears that it is a reflection of a social problem. “Even in traffic, for example, people are quicker to react fiercely these days. But for the KNVB, every violent incident is one too many.”
According to a spokesperson, the Northern Netherlands police are not allowed to tell whether any reports have been made by players or trainers of Meedhuizen or Muntendam. “We are aware of this situation and we are awaiting substantive details. If there are reports of violence as a result of this matter, we will deal with them as we would any other violent incident.