Ajax fans barred from January match against AZ Alkmaar for security reasons

Supporters of Ajax will not be allowed to attend the Dutch Cup match against AZ Alkmaar on January 14, the municipality of Alkmaar announced. The decision was made to ensure public safety and maintain order during the event.

The municipality cited incidents during the league match earlier this month between AZ and Ajax, where Ajax fans "behaved severely misconducted" by storming a supporter café in Alkmaar's city center. The altercation sparked a strong reaction from AZ fans, who attempted to leave the stadium to confront the Ajax supporters. Police from across North Holland were deployed to restore order.

Alkmaar Mayor Anja Schouten expressed concerns over potential retaliation by AZ fans during the upcoming match. “It is unclear whether this would occur inside or outside the stadium and in what form,” Schouten stated. She added that such incidents could strain police resources across the region.

"The exclusion of Ajax supporters significantly reduces this threat, allowing police capacity to be allocated elsewhere," Schouten said.

Schouten also referenced the significant demand on police resources in the lead-up to the NATO summit in The Hague in June. Approximately 27,000 officers—nearly half of the Dutch police force—are slated to secure the event. Police authorities have urged municipalities to limit large-scale events during this period to preserve resources. “The police must carefully plan and coordinate their capacity,” Schouten said.

Ajax has objected to the decision, labeling it a restrictive measure. However, Schouten clarified that the ban is not a collective punishment against Ajax fans. "There is no basis for a collective sanction, but this measure lowers the risk of public disturbances,” she said. “It is unfortunate that the poor behavior of some supporters results in such a drastic measure.”