KNVB supports plan to crackdown on biggest troublemakers among football fans

The KNVB supports the plan by the police and government to put more effort into identifying the biggest troublemakers amongst the fan groups of professional clubs in the future. “It is important to carefully analyze this group, apply effective sanctions, and make clubs and administrators resilient to their influence,” the football association said. “By drawing a clear line together and investing in a targeted approach, we will be doing millions of genuine football fans a great favor and prevent the police from having to step up their operations.”

The KNVB concludes that there is already good cooperation with clubs from the Eredivisie, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, supporters, municipalities, the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and government ministries. Because of this, the number of incidents in professional football has dropped.

The leagues, clubs, and governing bodies that run paid, competitive football in the Netherlands will be holding talks with the mayors of cities that have professional football clubs and will call for extra attention to four key points.

In addition to promising to focus more on the biggest troublemakers, the clubs will also demonstrate new technologies. For example, more and more clubs are starting to work with digital access systems, a modern version of the season ticket.

There will also be technology to help recognize discriminatory chants. With a digital reporting requirement, it will also be easier to keep people with a stadium ban out.

The KNVB also believes that the method for tackling the use of fireworks in stadiums can be more stringent. The football association welcomes the fact that clubs are investing in their relationship with supporters.

This season, professional clubs have a Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) on staff, serving as a bridge between supporters, the club, and other parties. There is a special training program for this role, which includes knowledge sharing with colleagues both at home and abroad.