Ajax criticise ‘outrageous’ fireworks after match abandoned

Ajax have criticized the “utterly outrageous” fireworks display that led to the abandonment of their Dutch league game against Groningen.

Within five minutes of the start of the match, after fireworks and flares were ignited behind one of the goals, Referee Bas Nijhuis ordered the players to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena.

More fireworks followed 45 minutes later, prompting Nijhuis to formally end the Eredivisie game.

The Amsterdam club stated in a statement that “Ajax considers what happened in the stadium this evening to be utterly outrageous.”

“We apologize to everyone who has experienced any pain.” Both the safety of the spectators and the players are in danger. That is unacceptable.

We firmly discredit this behavior. The stadium should not be the location of fireworks.

The game will be played behind closed doors until 14:30 CET (13:30 GMT), and it will return on Tuesday.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) stated that it fully comprehends “the” disappointment of the majority of the well-intentioned Ajax supporters and the ambulant FC Groningen supporters.

“Those who do this are not there for football or the game.” They said in a statement that it saddens those who actually support their club.

The Eredivisie stated that the unacceptable circumstances surrounding Sunday night’s game would lead to a “disciplinary investigation.”

According to Ajax, supporters in the affected area of the stadium were searched before entering with sniffer dogs.

The Ajax statement continued, “We will, of course, review the camera footage to identify the perpetrators and will also look into other ways to find out who is at fault.”

We will take appropriate measures if this leads to the identification of offenders.

Fans who are found to have emitted fireworks will also be subject to an 18- to 60-month suspension and a fine of £400 (450 euros).

Ajax and Groningen have not faced this kind of fate in the past.

Due to the relegated hosts’ fans throwing fireworks on the pitch twice, Ajax’s Eredivisie game in May 2023 was postponed after just nine minutes.