Ajax beats Groningen in empty stadium; Fireworks bomb linked to dead fan’s absurd wish
The reason Ajax fans threw fireworks onto the pitch against FC Groningen, causing the game to be abandoned on Sunday, was reportedly to honor a wish of an Ajax hooligan who had passed away, according to De Telegraaf. In response, Ajax has decided to keep the F-Side section, where the club’s hooligans are located, closed for the upcoming home game against Feyenoord. Ajax won the rescheduled Groningen match 2-0 on Tuesday in an empty stadium.
Ajax were victorious in the 85 minutes remaining in the game on Tuesday afternoon. Mika Godts and youngster Aaron Bouwman got on the scoresheet for the Amsterdammers in a game where Groningen will have felt unlucky not to get at least a point, considering the number of chances they created. The Amsterdammers climbed to fifth in the table, with Groningen dropping to eighth place.
On Sunday, fans from the F-Side, along with dozens of individuals without tickets who entered the stadium through an emergency exit, threw fireworks onto the pitch in the fifth minute. The game was suspended for around 40 minutes before play resumed, only for more fireworks to be thrown, leading to the match being abandoned.
The act was reportedly carried out by the hooligan group “Hooligans 5th” as a tribute to a deceased member named Thijmen, who had reportedly expressed that he would want them to get a game abandoned if he died.
De Telegraaf reports that stewards at the emergency exits were overpowered by the men, who wore black balaclavas and brought large amounts of fireworks. WhatsApp messages obtained by the newspaper confirm that some of the men came from IJmuiden and Almere, and that supporters from foreign clubs may also have participated.
Ajax announced on Monday that sections 125 through 129 will remain closed for the Feyenoord game, one of the club’s most important fixtures of the season, known as the Klassieker.
“This decision was made following serious incidents from these sections during the abandoned match against FC Groningen, which put players and spectators at risk and prevented the game from being completed,” Ajax said.
The closure also affects the traditional open training session held before the Klassieker, which is usually attended by hundreds of fans. This session will now be closed to the public.
