Ajax fans not allowed to protest mayor’s call for FC Utrecht stadium ban

Utrecht Mayor Jan van Zanen banned Ajax fans from protesting in the city on Sunday due to indications that FC Utrecht fans want to disrupt the demonstration. The decision to refuse permission for the protest was made in consultation with the police and Public Prosecutor. "Police information revealed that FC Utrecht supporters will make attempts to disrupt the demonstration. Given the years of animosity between parts of the supporters of both clubs, the risk of disorder the lack of a suitable location and the required police capacity to keep the groups apart, this decision was made", the Utrecht municipality writes on its website. The Ajax fans want to protest Mayor Van Zanen's decision to ban them from the Ajax vs FC Utrecht match on Sunday. According to the mayor, he can not guarantee the Ajax fans' safety. A number of FC Utrecht fans shouted antisemitic chants during the previous match between the two football clubs. The KNVB imposed a number of punishments on FC Utrecht, including that the Bunnikside, where the most fanatic Utrecht fans sit, has to be empty during the next match between the two teams. FC Utrecht decided to spread these fans to other seats in the stadium, which is why the mayor is concerned about the Ajax fans' safety. The Ajax fans are furious that they are now the victim of a penalty imposed on FC Utrecht. The Amsterdam fans recently filed a lawsuit against the decision to ban them from the match. It appears in court later today, according to NOS.