Ajax and Feyenoord's Eredivisie match abandoned as fans throw fireworks on the field
AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Eredivisie match between rivals Ajax and Feyenoord was called off Sunday with Feyenoord leading 3-0 after fans threw fireworks onto the field at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
After the match was brought to an early end, video posted on social media showed angry Ajax fans attempting to storm the stadium's main entrance. Police said they used tear gas to quell the unrest around the stadium.
Hours later, Ajax fired its director of soccer, Sven Mislintat, who only joined the club in May.
“Various attempts to restore broader support have not led to the desired results and this is leading to unrest in and around the club, also due to the disappointing performances," said interim director Jan van Halst.
Before Sunday's match was finally halted, it already been stopped twice before the break by referee Serdar Gözübüyük because of fans throwing fireworks and a plastic cup onto the field.
The three-goal deficit will heap more pressure on Ajax coach Maurice Steijn, who is in his first season at the club after replacing John Heitinga. Ajax had won one match, drawn two and lost one before Sunday's game.
Santiago Giménez scored twice for defending Eredivisie champion Feyenoord before Igor Paixão made it 3-0 in the first half.
The match was definitively called off in the 55th minute when fireworks were again thrown.
Caretaker Dutch Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgöz-Zegerius said in a message on X, formerly Twitter: “This no longer has anything to do with football and being a supporter. You play with the safety of the players, fellow supporters and yourself. Shame on you!”
It was not immediately clear when the remainder of the game would be played.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer
