Dutch Football Association reports drop in stadium violence during 2024/25 season

The number of major incidents in Dutch professional football decreased last season. Stadium bans in the 2024/2025 season were also down compared with the year before, according to the annual Safety Monitor released by the KNVB, the Dutch football federation.

Nationwide stadium bans imposed by the KNVB dropped from 1,100 to 824, while bans for acts of public violence fell from 176 to 108. At three out of 968 professional football matches, more than 20 stadium bans were handed out.

The average length of the stadium bans was 22 months, which is two months shorter than during the previous season. “Since the duration of a ban reflects the seriousness of the offense, this further shows that serious incidents declined in the 2024/’25 season,” the KNVB stated.

The independent prosecutor for professional football initiated more disciplinary (pre-)investigations into incidents, rising from 150 to 161. The KNVB noted that these were mainly for less severe cases.

“Although major incidents occurred less frequently last season, even one is too many,” said Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional football at the KNVB. “They can ruin a fun football match and have a big impact, particularly on stadium staff. That’s why we, along with clubs, leagues, supporters, and partners such as municipalities, government, police, and the public prosecutor, remain fully committed to creating safe and welcoming stadiums where everyone can enjoy the game.”

The Supporters Collective Netherlands sees the annual Safety Monitor results as backing for its previously announced plan to no longer separate home and away fans in stadiums. Data released by the football association on Wednesday indicate that major incidents in professional football declined last season, and stadium bans also decreased.

“We are very happy with the results,” said Frank Kriellaars, spokesperson for the Supporters Collective. He is particularly encouraged by the rise in fans’ sense of safety. “The findings reinforce that supporters feel safe and positive in the stadium. The next step is to spread this message further and strengthen the sense of security at matches.”

In August, the Supporters Collective unveiled a plan aiming to allow away supporters to attend all matches freely by 2035.

Although incidents in professional football are decreasing, police presence at matches remains “unprecedentedly high,” according to Nine Kooiman, chair of the Dutch Police Union (NPB). “Such deployment comes at the cost of other crucial societal duties,” she said, adding that officers should be deployed more strategically.

The police reported on Wednesday that overall deployment was lower last season than the year before. European matches required increased police presence, but Dutch clubs also played more fixtures than in the previous season.

Still, the police emphasize that football violence continues to have a major and disruptive impact, caused by a small group of troublemakers. “The effects go beyond the statistics: both officers and society bear substantial consequences,” Kooiman said.

She is advocating, among other measures, for a digital reporting obligation. “What’s needed is reduced but more focused police deployment, tougher action against violence, and greater acknowledgment of the heavy burden football incidents place on officers.”

The champions of last season’s Eredivisie, PSV, said that they were pleased with the results. “As a club, we are, of course, pleased with the downward trend, which, after the COVID period, better aligns with our goals for welcoming and safe football,” a spokesperson said.

PSV is “making structural investments in our socially preventive supporter policy,” the club said. “We want to use police resources as efficiently as possible and, where possible, take responsibility ourselves or, in close cooperation, prevent incidents or handle them appropriately,” said the reigning national champion.

The club noted that the key challenge in maintaining this approach lies in “ensuring enough capacity for major incidents and implementing a strong, person-centered strategy.”