Pyro and several interruptions
Ex-Bundesliga professional suffers a laceration from a projectile
04/06/2023, 09:18 am
Ajax Amsterdam win Dutch Cup semi-final against Feyenoord Rotterdam. The game is overshadowed by several incidents. Former Bundesliga professional Davy Klaassen was hit in the head by a projectile and was unable to finish the game.
The Dutch football association KNVB has condemned the incidents in the Ajax Amsterdam cup semifinals at Feyenoord Rotterdam and announced investigations. Former Bundesliga professional Davy Klaassen was hit in the back of the head by an object thrown from the spectator stands during Ajax’s 2-1 win on Wednesday evening and had to be treated. The game was interrupted for about half an hour.
The KNVB announced that a “further low point” had been reached. “Thousands of people go to the stadium to watch the players play football. It’s crazy that they don’t seem safe on the pitch.” With all security precautions, the problem begins with the intentions of the perpetrators. “If you don’t come to the stadium for football, but to riot, then stay away,” wrote the association, “of course” the incidents would be investigated.
Arrest still in the stadium
As soon as the whistle started, the game was interrupted again.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/ANP)
The classic was interrupted for the first time right at the beginning because the home fans had triggered a massive smoke development by burning pyrotechnics. According to Dutch media, less than a minute had been played when the referee stopped play for the first time. After a five-minute break, the smoke and fog from the burned-out pyros had cleared enough for the game to continue.
Klaassen, who made it 2-1, was hit after an hour and suffered a laceration on the back of his head. As the Rotterdam police informed via Twitter, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the stadium during the game. He is suspected of throwing the object onto the field that injured Klaassen. The man comes from Roelofarendsveen, a place between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Feyenoord’s assistant coach is said to have warned his own fans before the restart. Shortly after the game had resumed, ex-Bremer Klaassen had to be substituted. In the final, Ajax meets PSV Eindhoven, who beat third division club SV Spakenburg the day before.