Dutch soccer games to be abandoned if fireworks are used
- On Friday, the KNVB, the Public Prosecution Service, and Security Minister David van Weel agreed to abandon Dutch football matches immediately if fireworks are used in the stands.
- The policy follows an incident last month in Leeuwarden during a match between Cambuur and Feyenoord, when visiting supporters threw fireworks that injured several fans and nearly struck goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.
- "From now on, the rule is: if fireworks are used, the match is over immediately and the entire stadium can go home," Van Weel told Dutch media. The previous match halted for around 20 minutes due to flares.
- Similar safety concerns persist in the League of Ireland, where flares injured a 12-year-old supporter and damaged Dundalk's 3G surface during a match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park.
- Minister for Sport Donovan stated in February he will not rule out pushing for legislation to address flares at League of Ireland matches following violence in Louth.
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The fireworks stopped the Venord and Kambor match in the Dutch League, which took a lot of time to get back on the game and required a higher-level reaction.
FOOTBALL matches in the Netherlands will be interrupted in the event of the use of explosive devices.
The Dutch football matches will be permanently suspended if supporters use pyrotechnic devices in the stands, according to the new agreement between the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB), Parchet and Justice and Home Affairs Minister David van Weel, reported the Dutch press, quoted by Reuters.
Football games to be immediately suspended after fireworks incidents under new protocol
Football matches will be immediately suspended for the day if any fireworks are thrown onto the field or into the stands. The competition board has added the new measure to its protocol, the Ministry of Justice and Security has reported after a meeting with the Dutch Football Association KNVB and the police. “No more temporary suspensions, no more assessing the situation, no: abandoned. Everyone goes home,” the Minister of Justice David van Weel…
Previously, matches were only abandoned if things went wrong a second time or when players or officials were injured. The KNVB is now tightening the protocol due to “recent incidents” in Leeuwarden and Utrecht.
Use fireworks, go home: Dutch football’s new diktat
Dutch media reported the development which follows last month where several fans were left with burns, hearing damage and eye injuries after visiting fans threw fireworks during a league match between SC Cambuur and Feyenoord in Leeuwarden.
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