Ajax fined, forced to shut section of stadium …due to crowd trouble
Ajax will have part of their ground shut for their Eredivisie match against Vitesse Arnhem after crowd trouble marred September’s defeat to Feyenoord.
The Dutch giants, who say they have already punished more than 50 people, have also been fined 25,000 euros.
Home fans threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch, causing the match to be stopped, before it concluded three days later behind closed doors.
Police officers were injured and the stadium structure sustained damage.
In a statement, the 36-time Dutch champions said they would inform fans affected by the enforced closure in the south stand on 25 November and continue “imposing fines and recovering damages from those responsible.”
A previous incident in 2022, also against arch-rivals, Feyenoord, means Ajax already have a suspended punishment of one match behind closed doors at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax have never been relegated from the Dutch top flight but are currently struggling at the foot of the table after a turbulent start to the new campaign which has seen former manager, Maurice Steijn, depart the club to be replaced by ex-player, John van ‘t Schip, as interim head coach. —BBC
