Lynching black footballer in effigy could lead to Ajax hardcore fan match bans

The prosecutor of professional football gave Ajax a settlement proposal regarding punishment for the incident in which a effigy of a black football player was lynched. The settlement includes a 10 thousand euro fine and a requirement that to sections of the stands must be empty during the next match against Feyenoord in the ArenA, the KNVB announced on Thursday.

The incident happened during an Ajax vs Feyenoord match on February 7th. A doll made to look like Feyenoord goalkeeper Kennet Vermeer was lynched in the stadium by an Ajax supporter. Ajax supporters also displayed banners with offensive texts, chanted offensive slogans and set off fireworks.

The prosecutor believes that Ajax did not take sufficient  measures to prevent or stop the incidents. According to him, the club should've responded quicker to the doll lynching and reacted too passively to the offensive chants and banners.

In addition to the 10 thousand euro fine, the KNVB wants sections 424 and 425 of the Amsterdam ArenA to be empty during the next Ajax-Feyenoord match. Those sections are sued by hardcore Ajax supporters. It is also where the Vermeer doll was lynched, according to NU.nl.

Ajax has until noon on Wednesday to respond to the proposal.