Fewer football-related incidents last season; More suspects prosecuted

The number of incidents during and around professional football matches decreased for the second year in a row, the police reported. The number of suspects brought to court increased relatively, like last year. The KNVB also noticed a decrease in incidents inside stadiums and imposed over 1,000 stadium bans over the past season. Fireworks and violence, including against authorities, remain the most common incidents.

According to the police, the number of incidents in and around stadiums decreased from 725 in the 2022/23 season to 616 in the 2023/24 season. The decline was particularly noticeable in the Eredivisie.

“To reduce riots and to allow well-meaning supporters to enjoy hospitable and safe football as much as possible, we have agreed with the various partners to work on ‘high trust – high penalty’. Hospitable where possible, but the troublemakers who disrupt this will be tracked down by the police and prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service,” said René de Beukelaer, chief public prosecutor in Amsterdam and member of the Football & Safety Steering Group on behalf of the Public Prosecution Service (OM).

In the past season, the OM registered 323 suspects for football-related crimes, down from 422 suspects the season before. Crimes mainly involved violence, vandalism, discrimination, fireworks, drugs, and failing to comply with police orders. 54 percent of cases ended in court, compared to 32 percent the season before.

Up to this measurement point, the courts have made final rulings in 107 cases. Prison sentences were imposed in 50 percent of these rulings, and community service in 40 percent. Courts also imposed 38 restraining orders, keeping offenders away from stadiums.

The Dutch football association KNVB also noticed a decrease in incidents inside the stadiums. The number of incidents for which an investigation was launched decreased from 179 in 2021/22 to 169 in 2022/23 and 150 in 2023/24. Incidents involving items thrown on the field decreased significantly.

“If we look over an entire season, the number of incidents in stadiums has continued to decrease since the peak immediately after the coronavirus period,” said Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional football at the KNVB.

The KNVB imposed 1,008 stadium bans in the past season. According to the football association, the number of supporters banned from stadiums has decreased along with the number of incidents in recent years. In the 2022/23 season, the KNVB imposed 1,086 stadium bans.

“We are not there yet, but things are moving in the right direction and that is a compliment to all collaborating parties and all supporters who do support their club,” said Van Leeuwen.