Riots after ADO Den Haag missed promotion; Four cops hurt

Riots broke out at the ADO Den Haag stadium on Sunday evening after the team missed promotion against Excelsior. Supporters pelted the police with bricks and other objects, set off fireworks, and tore signs from the ground.

The riot police carried out multiple charges. The police spoke of "substantial" violence in which at least four officers and several bystanders got hurt. Emergency services took a number of people to the hospital. The police arrested multiple rioters.

The riot police carried out short charges and deployed police dogs to restore peace. "I saw my colleagues being harassed and confronted with very severe violence," police commander Mariëlle van Vulpen said. "I regret that multiple people, including police officers, were injured. We are investigating these disturbances along with the Public Prosecution Service." Calm returned shortly before midnight.

ADO supporters stormed the field after the game, the police said. They threw flaming torches into the box with Excelsior supporters, at which point the riot police sprang into action. The riot police were in the stadium to bring players and the arbitration to safety. The police called on the ADO supporters to go home calmly. 

ADO Den Haag lost a 3-0 lead in its own stadium. ADO retook the lead in extra time, but Excelsior still managed to draw equal and was the better after 18 penalties. 

The match was interrupted twice because supporters pelted a lineman with items, and ADO fans climbed over the fence and stood on the sidelines.