Police to walk out or strike during Eredivisie matches in protest starting this weekend

Police unions are intensifying their actions for an adequate early retirement scheme. They are arranging meetings during football matches in the Dutch top flight, the Eredivisie, meaning that there will be no police presence at the matches.

The matches of FC Twente against Sparta in Enschede on Saturday and Ajax against NAC Breda in Breda on Sunday were chosen out of this weekend's Eredivisie fixtures. The meetings of the police union are outside of the football stadium and will start an hour before the start of the match and will last until an hour after the matches.

The police protests for a structurally earlier retirement scheme started last autumn. Protesting officers have been issuing fewer fines for minor misdemeanors since May 7. During protest days in June, the police stations with a public function were closed for 24 hours, meaning that people could not file any reports. Police officers also no longer provide assistance to bailiffs, and they turn on their flashing lights and sirens at town halls every week during the so-called 'alarm action.'

Police employees have been able to retire three years before the state pension age since 2021, but this arrangement is temporary. The unions want a permanent arrangement for this. "It is usually shown at football matches that being a police officer is hard work," the four police unions said in a press release. "The government must take explicit and visible steps to make early retirement possible for police officers. The mayors and KNVB administrators can contribute by explicitly supporting and promoting the call to the minister."

The mayor of Breda, Paul Depla, has said there is currently no reason for the police to be present at the NAC-Ajax match on Sunday. "So the match will be played despite the protest unless there is new information," Depla added. "This is a good opportunity for supporters to show that football can be played without a police presence."

Police officers are absent if possible and present if necessary at football matches in Breda, said Depla. "We work information-driven: as long as there is no information that gives reason for the police to be present, the police will not be there."