80 arrested in Ajax championship celebrations
Ajax's triumph after winning the championship title in Amsterdam on Sunday caused for a lot of celebration amongst fans. Some of it got out of hand, however, as police were forced to arrest 8- supporters who were misbehaving.
Even thought Ajax won the title by equalizing 1-1 against Heracles Almelo, fans still went all out with the celebrations. The fanatic supporters group 410 were banned from the match, which ran without problems. There was a lot of police presence, but there were no incidents in which they needed to get involved.
Searches at the gates made sure that fans didn't bring fireworks into the stadium. Some Ajax fans did set off fireworks in a nearby café.
The Mobile Unit was present to watch over the festivities as groups of fans cheered when the final whistle was blown in Almelo. Many cafés on the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam were full of jubilant supporters. Police arrested some people there for possession of fireworks
The player's bus took the Ajax team back to Amsterdam ArenA from Almelo on Sunday afternoon, where the team was honored. Around 35,000 supporters were present at the ArenA to witness the tribute.
The tribute went smoothly. Frank de Boer was honored with the Frans Banninck Cocq commemorative medal, which is given to people in Amsterdam who have given special services to the city for a period of at least ten years.
On Utrecht Centraal station, 30 supporters were arrested for vandalizing the train from Almelo to Amsterdam. The NS has pressed charges, and the damages will have to be paid by the vandals.
Later in the evening, police arrested a further 50 people in the center of Amsterdam, who were disturbing the peace after the tribute at the ArenA. The police report that one of their officers was bitten during the arrest. He was treated in hospital. Violence against public service agents incurs a high punishment with the Public Prosecution Authority.
