Soccer-Dutch police use tear gas to disperse rioters after Ajax v Feyenoord suspended (updated)

AFC Ajax NV

24/09/2023 17:11

(Adds fans riot after match, police comments on X)
       AMSTERDAM, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam's home
Eredivisie game against defending champions Feyenoord was
suspended on Sunday as fans threw flares onto the pitch, and
mounted police used tear gas to disperse rioting fans outside
the stadium.
    A group of angry Ajax fans tried to force their way into the
Arena stadium after the game was halted, leading the police to
disperse them with tear gas, Amsterdam police wrote on social
media platform X.
    "After the stopped game supporters broke into the main
(stadium) entrance. Order has since been restored," the police
said.
    "It is a jet black day, this makes it even worse," Ajax
coach Maurice Steijn told broadcaster NOS.
    Ajax were 3-0 down in the second half when the game was
suspended.
    Ajax, who have had a poor start to the season with just one
win, sit 13th in the 18-team league and they conceded all three
goals in the first half.
    When flares were thrown onto the pitch for a second time,
with many landing near the goal, the referee stopped the match
and directed the players down the tunnel.
    Fans paid no heed as the club displayed the message
"Lighting of fireworks is prohibited" on the big screen at the
Johan Cruyff Arena.
    "De Klassieker has been permanently suspended after repeated
fireworks on the field," Eredivisie said in a statement.
    "More information on playing out this game will follow
later."
    Ajax finished third last season and failed to qualify for
the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons. They had 
finished champions seven times and runners-up another five over
the previous 12 seasons.

 (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru and Stephanie van den
Berg in Amsterdam; Editing by Toby Davis and Hugh Lawson)
 ((Rohith.Nair@thomsonreuters.com | Twitter: @RohithNair;))