September 29 – After allowing limited numbers of fans into grounds, the Dutch government has re-imposed a ban on spectators for all sporting events to slow a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
But the move has been heavily criticised by the Dutch FA (KNVB) which argued there was no scientific evidence that linked crowds in stadiums with the increase in the number of cases in the country.
Dutch fans had just got used to small numbers of fans being permitted to watch live games for the opening rounds of the new league season but all fixtures will now go back to behind closed doors, as is still the case in England.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the move, part of a raft of new restrictions, was unavoidable due to the speed of the virus’s spread.
But in response the KNVB said: “This is of course very sour, all the more because there is no scientific evidence between the presence of an audience in a stadium and the increase in the number of corona cases in the Netherlands.
“And football has really done everything and invested heavily to create a safe environment in the stadiums. We believe that this has worked out very well and research shows this.
“We have been inundated with compliments from local authorities. Nevertheless, the government is now opting for these measures. We have to accept this. Unfortunately. Football must also takes its responsibility,” the KNVB added.
Last week fans of Dutch side Willem II of Tilburg came under fire for throwing a party with no regard for social distancing rules in order to celebrate their team’s return to European competition.
Pictures taken by fans showed around 1,000 supporters singing and dancing on a square in Tilburg on Thursday before Willem II’s Europa League qualifying match against Glasgow Rangers.
Local mayor Theo Wetering admitted he had issued a permit for the party in order to avoid impromptu gatherings across the city but didn’t anticipate lack of social distancing.
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