KNVB Proposal Following Ajax-Groningen Disorder

Ajax Stadium Section Closed Following Fireworks Incident, Goalkeeper Suspended After Post-Match Scuffle

Amsterdam – A section of Ajax’s Johan Cruyff ArenA will be closed for one Eredivisie match following a fireworks incident during a game against FC Groningen, the Dutch football association (KNVB) announced. The closure affects sections 025 to 029, 125 to 129, and sections 825 and 829, and will be in effect for the home game against Sparta Rotterdam on March 14th.

The KNVB imposed the unconditional sanction after fans in the F-Side section set off fireworks twice during the November 30th match against Groningen. The game was temporarily halted by referee Bas Nijhuis due to the repeated offenses, and later resumed on December 2nd. Ajax has accepted the punishment without protest, having previously kept the relevant sections empty during a Klassieker match against Feyenoord last year following similar incidents.

In a separate incident, FC Groningen goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen has been suspended for three games following a post-match scuffle after a 2-2 draw against Ajax on May 14th. The KNVB deemed Vaessen’s actions, which reportedly included throwing punches at former Ajax assistant Felipe Sanchez Mateos, a “violent act.” Vaessen and Groningen accepted a settlement offer from the KNVB, meaning he will miss the first three games of the new season.

The KNVB also investigated Ajax defender Ahmetcan Kaplan’s involvement in the same post-match confrontation, but ultimately dismissed the case against him. Vaessen issued an apology via Instagram, acknowledging his behaviour and stating that several factors contributed to his reaction, but emphasizing his responsibility as a professional footballer to serve as a role model.

The incidents come after the KNVB rejected a proposal to reschedule the remainder of the Klassieker match against Feyenoord, which was suspended on September 24th, to Wednesday, September 27th. Ajax expressed sadness over the suspended Klassieker and the subsequent disturbances, with the club’s management and Supervisory Board distancing themselves from the misconduct of supporters, stating that such behaviour is not representative of Ajax.

These events highlight ongoing tensions and disciplinary challenges within Dutch football, as the KNVB continues to address issues of fan behaviour and on-field conduct. The stadium closure and player suspension serve as a clear message regarding the consequences of unacceptable actions, while the investigation into the post-match scuffle underscores the importance of maintaining order and respect both on and off the pitch.