Supporters association presents plan for mixed crowds around Dutch football matches

Supporterscollectief Nederland wants home and away fans to no longer be separated around football matches, but instead to mingle freely. The supporters' association believes this would increase the sense of safety at games and reduce the number of incidents. The proposal is part of a plan responding to the "record number of empty away sections" last season, caused by punitive and precautionary measures.

“Enough is enough,” the Supporterscollectief stated in a press release, two days before the start of the new season. According to the organization, separating home and away fans around stadiums has led to increased polarization.

“In many other countries, mingling is already normal, and even in the Netherlands, supporters of different clubs encounter each other without issues at places like train stations. By deliberately choosing to let fans mix outside the stadium, there will be acceptance instead of hatred.”

According to the Supporterscollectief, away sections remained empty at 15 Eredivisie matches and on 12 occasions in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie last season. “Sometimes this is a punishment imposed by the KNVB disciplinary committee, but increasingly it is municipalities resorting to this ultimate measure, either as a sanction or even as a preventive step.”

There will also be no away supporters at the first Eredivisie match of the season between Fortuna Sittard and Go Ahead Eagles on Friday, due to a previous incident involving fireworks.

The Supporterscollectief has created a step-by-step plan, acknowledging that “change takes time.” The first step would be to organize one match in the upcoming season where supporters are allowed to mingle. By 2035, the ultimate goal is to achieve unrestricted travel and away supporters at every match.

“We work well with Supporterscollectief Nederland and fully support the long-term vision they outline: diverse groups of supporters enjoying football together,” the KNVB responded. “To get there, we need to carefully consider responsibilities, risks, and timing in order to take possible steps.” A spokesperson declined to comment on how feasible the steps in the supporters' association’s plan are.