Supporters of PEC Zwolle are not welcome at the match against Jong PSV on May 8. Mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem of Eindhoven has determined this. The reason is riots that arose after the match PEC Zwolle against FC Eindhoven earlier this month, in which young people were attacked by hooligans wearing balaclavas.
Dijsselbloem writes in a letter to the city council that this measure is not his preference, because well-intentioned supporters are now the victims of malicious supporters.
But supporters of PEC Zwolle have misbehaved so badly after a defeat against FC Eindhoven that the mayor has no choice but to take this measure. “When individuals use the anonymity of the group to commit misconduct, the person-centered approach no longer works.”
Attack on youths in the neighborhood
On Friday, April 7, things got out of hand in and around the Jan Louwers Stadium, after the club from Overijssel lost 4-2 to FC Eindhoven. A few fights broke out in the area. Outside, dozens of hooligans in balaclavas attacked young people who were playing football near the stadium.
One boy sustained injuries to his face. When the police wanted to intervene, the rioters threw stones, street furniture and full cans of beer at the officers. Even then, fights broke out among the supporters.
Supporters may be welcome again later
The mayor speaks of a ‘bonus-malus’ scheme. This means that if supporters seriously misbehave in or around the stadium, it can first be decided to play subsequent matches without the away crowd.
If there is no recurrence of disturbances afterwards, the measure can be abolished again. Based on this, supporters of FC Groningen and SC Cambuur are not welcome in the Philips Stadium for the time being, because they have misbehaved before.
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