No away supporters are welcome at the matches between NAC and Willem II this season. Both clubs have decided this in consultation with the police and the Public Prosecution Service. It would not be possible to guarantee the safety of all fans at this time.
The parties involved make this known in a joint press release. “Since the corona pandemic, the atmosphere around football matches has changed. Fireworks incidents, chants, vandalism and violence are more present in and around the stadiums than before. Well-intentioned supporters are more often the victims of the misconduct of people who do not want or know how to behave.”
And so there is nothing else to do this season than to keep away supporters from the derbies in Tilburg (December 11) and Breda (April 14). “The safety of our supporters, stewards, security guards and emergency services during matches is an absolute requirement,” says director Martin van Geel on behalf of Willem II. “The measures that are necessary during these competitions to achieve this raise the question of whether such deployment is desirable and responsible.”
Temporary measure
Mayor Depla van Breda hopes it is a temporary measure. “We will use the remaining season to get the malicious supporters out of the stadiums. The approach of mayor Weterings and myself is to play with the away crowd again next season.”