(foto: Screenshot)
The Eredivisie clash between Ajax and Groningen was abandoned after ultras set off fireworks and flares onto the pitch, prompting safety concerns and condemnation from officials.
The Eredivisie match between Ajax and Groningen descended into chaos and was abandoned after just six minutes, when a section of Ajax ultras unleashed a barrage of fireworks and flares inside the Johan Cruyff Arena. The shocking scenes forced referee Bas Nijhuis to suspend play before ultimately calling the game off due to serious safety concerns.
The fireworks display was reportedly intended as a tribute to a recently deceased fan, but quickly spiraled out of control. Flares and pyrotechnics were fired toward the pitch, with parts of the turf briefly catching fire. Players were forced off the field, and the game was initially paused for half an hour before Nijhuis officially abandoned the match.
“If you want to hurt your club, then keep doing things like this. It’s disgraceful,” said the visibly frustrated referee during a live interview with ESPN. After a second delay, Nijhuis told the broadcast: “I can no longer guarantee the safety of the players. I won’t do that anymore.”
Ajax captain Davy Klaassen and forward Wout Weghorst were seen reacting in disbelief to their own supporters’ behaviour, shaking their heads and gesturing toward the stands. Soon after, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema ordered the game to be permanently suspended following advice from the KNVB.
In an official club statement, Ajax condemned the “scandalous” actions of the supporters responsible, apologising to everyone affected. “The safety of spectators and players has been jeopardised. This is unacceptable. Fireworks have no place in the stadium,” the statement read.
The club also revealed that extensive security measures had been taken before the match — including searches, police dogs, and detection checks — but these failed to prevent the incident. Ajax confirmed it will analyse surveillance footage to identify and punish the perpetrators.
The violent episode is the latest in a string of crowd trouble incidents involving Ajax fans. In 2023, a derby against Feyenoord was also abandoned after flares and fireworks were hurled onto the pitch, prompting further clashes outside the stadium. That match was later resumed behind closed doors — a scenario likely to repeat with Ajax’s fixture against Groningen.
The KNVB is expected to announce within the next two weeks whether the game will be restarted in full or continued from the sixth minute. At the time of abandonment, the score was 0–0.