Saturday, November 13th, 2021
“Corona is more important, but …”
Van Gaal attacks the Dutch government
Due to the increasing number of infections, football games in the Netherlands have to take place again without fans from now on. Bondscoach Louis van Gaal makes this furious shortly before the decision in the World Cup qualification. The football association is also unmistakable.
The Netherlands imposed a partial lockdown on Friday due to the sharp rise in corona numbers, which also has a massive impact on sport. Among other things, the World Cup qualifying game scheduled for Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / DAZN) in Rotterdam between the Dutch national soccer team and Norway must take place without spectators.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of a “hard blow for a few weeks”. He gave the reason: “The virus is everywhere, in the whole country, in all industries and all age groups.” The restrictions are due to come into effect on Saturday evening and apply for three weeks.
The government’s move caused a lot of annoyance in Dutch football. The national association KNVB and the Eredivisie vented their anger in a joint statement. “It is more than frustrating to see that the government is apparently not looking for the sources of infection. Primarily the spectators of professional football are attacked,” said the statement: “The people in The Hague no longer know what to do . ” Several top division clubs are now considering suspending their games until further notice and making up for the games in front of spectators.
“Beautiful moment in the stadium is missing”
Bond coach Louis van Gaal also expressed harsh criticism. The coach regrets that Oranje will have to play the last qualifying game against Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday without spectators. The government decision was “illogical”, said van Gaal. All 44,000 tickets had been sold for the game at De Kuip Stadium. Van Gaal understands “that Corona is more important than football, but I do not understand these measures when there are few infected people. I live in Portugal and, unlike in the Netherlands, they control them properly. There 98 percent are vaccinated and the hospital beds are not fully occupied. It’s about leadership qualities. Mr Rutte is the manager here, you can expect something, “said van Gaal.
The 70-year-old regretted the lack of support in the stadium, with the audience behind you, you could “always do a little more”. “Let’s assume we win against Norway. Then we are qualified for the World Cup. This beautiful moment then disappears in the stadium, also for the players. That is sad. I think it’s a shame,” he said.
Bars, restaurants and shops have to close at 8 p.m., shops for non-urgent needs already at 6 p.m. The Dutch are allowed to meet a maximum of four other people in their apartments and should work from home if possible. The schools should remain open. In September, the government of the Netherlands had greatly relaxed the corona restrictions. On Thursday, however, a pandemic high for new infections was reached in one day, the nationwide seven-day incidence recently exceeded the mark of 500.