Man arrested for sharing Feyenoord director’s phone number online amid wave of threats
A 24-year-old man from The Hague was taken into custody on Thursday for publishing the mobile phone number of Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese online. Te Kloese has been harassed and threatened by phone following his team’s 3-0 loss to PSV on Sunday. Police stated that he received a “torrent of abusive messages and calls.”
The suspect was taken into custody at his home on suspicion of doxing, which the police define as publicly sharing someone else’s private information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, or workplaces, with the intent to intimidate, harass, or threaten. Doxing has been explicitly criminalized in the Netherlands since January 1, 2024, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fourth-category fine of up to 25,750 euros.
On Wednesday, the police sent text messages to dozens of individuals, warning them to stop threatening Te Kloese. The text stated: “Your phone number is involved in a police investigation regarding threats to the director of Feyenoord. Cease this immediately. Such messages may be illegal.” The numbers were identified through an ongoing police investigation.
After questioning, the suspect was released but is due to appear in court in mid-April. Police added that additional arrests “cannot be ruled out.” Investigators are reviewing the hundreds of messages to establish whether, beyond doxing, they also contain incitement or explicit death threats.
Fans are expressing frustration over poor performance under coach Robin van Persie, with critical banners and complaints about club policy increasing. Dennis te Kloese is viewed as the main person responsible for transfers and De Kuip stadium plans.
Feyenoord made a promising start to the season, but saw it take a nosedive in recent months. Van Persie’s side have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League, the KNVB Cup, and are 17 points behind league leaders PSV in the Eredivisie table.
Mark Koevermans, who Te Kloese succeeded in his position, resigned in 2021 due to repeated threats to his home.
Reporting by ANP and NL Times
