Amsterdam mayor won't compensate Lazio supporters for banning them from Ajax match
Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam sees “no reason to compensate” Lazio supporters for the decision to ban them from the Europa League against Ajax next week. The Amsterdam mayor said this in a letter responding to SS Lazio supporters accusing her of discrimination, and the Italian club demanding compensation, AT5 reports.
Amsterdam banned away supporters from the match in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on December 12 for fear of public disturbances from the hard core of Lazio supporters. They are known as “right-wing extremist, anti-Semitic, and racist,” the mayor said at the time.
In response, some 500 Lazio supporters accused Halsema of discriminating against them. That has not changed the mayor’s mind, she said in her letter to the Italian club on Wednesday.
The decision not to allow away fans to attend the match is based on police information about “some of your supporters,” Halsema wrote. The recent violence surrounding a match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv was also taken into account. “I have taken this measure in the interest of public order and safety, to prevent inconvenience and nuisance for spectators and other persons.”
The mayor understands that this measure has “the necessary consequences” and is “a disappointment” for the players, clubs, and supporters. But she does not intend to compensate the away fans for the costs of things like plane tickets and hotel rooms, as SS Lazio had demanded.
“Because my decision was based on a concrete fear of disruption of public order if an away audience were to be admitted, I see no reason to compensate other damages,” Halsema said.
