1/2 Martin van Geel (photo: ANP)
There were signals prior to the Willem II-FC Den Bosch match that there would be riots. General director Martin van Geel of Willem II informed Omroep Brabant on Saturday. For that reason, various measures were taken, but nevertheless things went wrong. “We thought we were well prepared,” said Van Geel.
“It had already been announced from Den Bosch all week that there would be riots,” Van Geel said the morning after the disturbances. “That anything and everything would happen that had nothing to do with football. We then took all the measures we could take. For example, containers were placed so that walking lines were created and there was good coordination with the FC safety coordinator Den Bosch. There was also frequent contact with the municipality and the police. So we thought we were prepared. But there is actually little that can be done against this kind of vandalism. Unfortunately.”
“The atmosphere in our stadium is always fantastic.”
The big question is why, based on this information, it was not decided in advance not to admit the Bossche fans. According to the Willem II director, this option was discussed in advance with FC Den Bosch and the municipality of Tilburg. “But yes, it was about announcements,” explained Van Geel.
“After all, it was decided to have the game take place in this way. Why? Because little or virtually nothing has happened here at Willem II for years. These are exceptions. Matches are always well organized here, in good harmony. The atmosphere in our stadium is always fantastic. This is a big exception. If this happened every home game, you could be a little harder on it. But again, they were announcements. Then you have to wait and see how much something like this actually happens. But afterwards you can say : not allowing the FC Den Bosch fans would have been better.”
“The police were extra vigilant.”
A spokesperson for the municipality of Tilburg confirms that there were signs in advance that things could go wrong. “The police were therefore extra alert and were able to act adequately. There has been consultation with the clubs, the Public Prosecution Service and the police and measures have been taken in that consultation.” She would not say what exactly those measures are. She says that the evaluation must show whether the measures have helped enough.
Mayor Theo Weterings of Tilburg calls the disturbances ‘unacceptable’. Destruction was done in the stadium, fires were started, fireworks and objects were thrown.
“It is not up to the KNVB to anticipate the disciplinary committee.”
Spokesperson Bram Groot of the KNVB says that the disturbances in the King Willem II stadium are also being investigated by the Dutch football association. “This will initially be done by the disciplinary committee, independent of the KNVB. Match reports have been drawn up, statements drawn up by both clubs and the referee about what exactly happened. The draft committee will look at this on the basis of that. say more.”
The spokesperson does not want to comment on the fact that fans of FC Den Bosch are once again involved in such disturbances. “These kinds of cases must first be properly investigated. We have the prosecutor for that, who collects all the data and the disciplinary committee that will investigate it completely. In light of that, it is not up to us to anticipate and make hard pronouncements. “
“FC Den Bosch is done with the rotten apples.”
FC Den Bosch says in a statement that the club is done with ‘the rotten apples in the supporters’. “FC Den Bosch permanently says goodbye to people who persist in nuisance or criminal behaviour. ‘Supporters’ who do not want to learn our collective language weaken the club and are no longer welcome.”
ALSO READ: Willem II about riots in derby against FC Den Bosch: ‘Inky evening’
Waiting for privacy settings…