November 2 – Ajax, currently at the bottom of the Eredivisie, have been sanctioned with a €25,000 and a stadium ban for the club’s hardcore fans for their next home match, following the abandonment of their league match with Feyenoord in September.
The Klassieker clash with Feyenoord was ended in the 55th minute for player safety after fans persistently hurled objects, including flares, on to the pitch. Feyenoord were holding a commanding 3-0 lead.
The match concluded three days later in an empty stadium, resulting in Feyenoord’s 4-0 victory.
The stricter rules surrounding safety were implemented following a prior incident where Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen was struck on the head by a thrown cigarette lighter during a Dutch Cup match between the same two clubs at Feyenoord’s De Kuip stadium last season.
The four-time European cup winners, who currently sit rock bottom of the Eredivisie after losing five matches straight matches, have been ordered by the KNVB to leave sections 125 to 129 of the Johan Cruyff Arena empty for the match against Vitesse Arnhem on November 25th.
These sections are usually reserved for the club’s ultra group, known as the F-side, who are known continent-wide for violence and hooliganism.
“In determining the punishment we have taken account of the nature and severity of the crimes as well as Ajax’s previous record of sanctions, which contains several violations,” the KNVB said in a statement.
Ajax have hugged the headlines with their poor opening to the Eredivisie season, winning just once since the season opener in August. The team will be hoping to climb up the table when they line up against fellow relegation battlers FC Volendam at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening – a match that was postponed to make room for the unfinished match against Feyenoord.
Ajax have never been relegated from the Eredivisie since it was founded in 1957.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1726780773labto1726780773ofdlr1726780773owedi1726780773sni@g1726780773niwe.1726780773yrrah1726780773