Ajax fans plan demonstration against match ban in Alkmaar; city hope to keep fans apart

The municipality of Alkmaar is attempting to stop groups of football fans from mixing with each other during a demonstration by Ajax fans in the city on Tuesday evening before the KNVB cup match between AZ Alkmaar and Ajax. The Ajax Supporters Delegatie announced on Saturday that they plan to demonstrate on the Waagplein in Alkmaar because they have been banned from attending the match.

This measure came after Ajax hooligans had attacked a cafe with AZ supporters in Alkmaar last month prior to a match between the two clubs. This resulted in several people sustaining injuries. Some fear that retaliatory actions could take place during this match.

The municipality has said that they are aware of the demonstration plans but added that the demonstration has not been officially registered. If this does happen, then the municipality will facilitate the demonstration.

This would mean that measures are taken to ensure that both sets of fans do not mix. “A location for the demonstration will be looked at with this in mind,” said the municipality.

Ajax fans showed their displeasure towards the ban during Jong Ajax’s match against Jong AZ in the Dutch second division yesterday. A fixture between the club’s youth teams which took place in Alkmaar.

Ajax fans unveiled banners that read “Alkmaar, we will see you tomorrow.” Other banners criticized the mayors of the cities, Femke Halsema, who is Amsterdam’s mayor, and Anja Schouten, the mayor of Alkmaar.

The demonstration is planned to take place at 6:45 p.m., which is the same time as the match starts on Tuesday evening.