Four supporters of Willem II were given 180 hours of community service by the police judge in Breda on Thursday. Jointly they must also pay compensation to two officers. According to the police judge, they were at the forefront of the riots after the abandoned league match against arch-rival NAC Breda on September 3.
Three of the convicted fans are from Tilburg, the fourth lives in Goirle. They are 23, 31, 52 and 54. All four have already received a temporary stadium ban after the riots and they will soon hear from the KNVB how long they will no longer be welcome. A visit to the stadium is not possible for the time being.
Two police officers were injured in the head and body during the disturbances. One of them has been at home with whiplash ever since. The images in the courtroom show how the riot police use large chargers and dogs to control the crowd.
Things went wrong at the away section where NAC supporters broke through the fences. And later things also went wrong on the other corner of the stadium where supporters café D’n Beitel is located. Hundreds of people are watching and dozens of men challenge the riot police and throw things. The riot police were pelted with fences, stones, containers and beer cans.
‘I’m not going anymore’
One of the convicted fans of Willem II said that after the riots it is no longer necessary for him: “I have two sons. They can go with grandpa in the future. I will not go anymore.”
Another supporter who was convicted hopes to be able to visit matches in the King Willem II Stadium again soon, although he has learned his lesson. “I spent four days in jail. Then you start to think. I talked about it with my friends. They think it’s strange that I’m involved in this. Next time I’ll turn left instead of right,” he said. the project leader, who has been in the stands of his club for over forty years.
It was the first time in years that away fans were welcome again at the charged derby between Willem II and NAC. It should have been the start of ‘normal numbers of supporters’ again, a police spokesman said before the match.
The game was stopped early in the second half at 0-3 after fireworks and other objects were thrown onto the field. Outside the stadium, supporters then sought confrontation with the riot police.
‘I do not get it’
The police judge believes that all four supporters who stood opposite her on Thursday made a significant contribution to the disturbances. The public prosecutor had demanded two months in prison for two men on Thursday morning. He wondered out loud whether it was still possible to go to a football match with your family in our country. “I don’t understand why anger or frustration is focused on the police and riot police.”
After these four fans of Willem II, more will follow. Last week, the police showed unrecognizable photos of supporters who also misbehaved. A number of them have now reported to the police. There is a good chance that the police will distribute recognizable photos of hooligans within a few days.
Willem II – NAC Breda was played a few days later without an audience. It ended up being 1-4.
Images of Willem II supporters who want to go to the away section:
During the match a torch was thrown onto the field: