Soccer-Abandoned Ajax v Feyenoord match set to resume on Wednesday

AFC Ajax NV

25/09/2023 17:23

Sept 25 (Reuters) - The abandoned match between Ajax
Amsterdam and Feyenoord will resume on Wednesday without
spectators, the Dutch football Association (KNVB) said on
Monday.
    Ajax's home Eredivisie match against champions Feyenoord was
abandoned on Sunday as fans threw flares onto the pitch, and
mounted police used tear gas to disperse rioting fans outside
the stadium.
    Ajax were trailing 3-0 in the second half when the game was
initially suspended in the 56th minute before being abandoned.
The remaining minutes will now be played behind closed doors. 
    Ajax voiced disagreement with the KNVB's decision, citing
scheduling concerns, and adding they were considering taking
legal steps.
    "The competition and Dutch Cup program is being adjusted for
four clubs by the KNVB to play the remainder of a suspended
match," the club said in a statement.
    "Not only the clubs but also the supporters suffer the
consequences of this."
    The KNVB defended their decision in their own statement.
    "The basic principle is that the competition must be as fair
as possible and that a match should therefore preferably be
decided on the field. The match must then be resumed as quickly
as possible."
    The Eredivisie match between Ajax and FC Volendam, initially
scheduled for Wednesday, will be postponed to a later date.
    Ajax, who have had a poor start to the season with just one
win, sit 14th in the 18-team league. They finished third last
season and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the
first time in 13 seasons. 

 (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, additional reporting by
Bart Meijer)
 ((TommyAlexander.Lund@thomsonreuters.com;))