The Government of the Netherlands announced this Thursday the opening of an investigation at the highest level into the incidents that occurred this Wednesday in the match between Feyenoord and Ajax.
The semi-final match of the Dutch Cup was marred by violence. The game started later than planned, due to smoke caused by the fireworks used by the fans in the stands.
The most serious problem occurred while the game was running. Davy Klaassen, Ajax midfielder, was hit by an object thrown from the bench and was assisted for almost half an hour. The match was stopped by the referee. Anti-Semitic chants were also heard from the stands.
Dutch Justice Minister Dylan Yesilgoz said the incidents would be investigated “at the highest level”. Together with his Sports counterpart Conny Helder, he will start talks with the Dutch Football Association, the clubs and the police to find out what happened.
“If they continue like this, they will have a situation in which even domestic sympathizers will be banned,” he told the ANP news agency.
For his part, the leader of the Government, Mark Rutte, considered that the facts are “intolerable.”
“Players, coaches and referees don’t touch each other. What happened here is totally scandalous,” he said.
For his part, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged the Dutch authorities to take action. “There is absolutely no place for violence in soccer, on or off the pitch,” he said.
He added: “Such events have no place in our sport or society. All players must be safe to play and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure this is respected at all levels.”
The Netherlands Football Association also condemned the action. The match referee stopped play in the 63rd minute, after a lighter thrown from the stands hit Davy Klaassen. Ajax, where Francisco Conceição plays, would win the match 2-1, thus qualifying for the final of the competition.
Source: TSF
