Ajax Fans Clash with Police Amid Protests in Amsterdam
Ajax fans who were upset that several of their games had been rescheduled due to police strikes set off flares, attacked buildings, and battled with authorities after a demonstration in Amsterdam on Sunday.
Local media images showed Ajax fans snatching bicycles and obstacles and marching towards the Dutch capital’s police headquarters before authorities intervened to restore order.
“The situation inside Amsterdam’s police headquarters is unpredictable. Ajax supporters are vandalizing the building and police vehicles,” Amsterdam police said in a statement on X.
“Despite multiple warnings, a group continues to pursue confrontation. The mobile unit (elite riot police) is currently levying charges to push them away,” police said.
Fans gathered earlier Sunday to protest the fact that three of their matches had now coincided with police pension strikes.
Authorities declared that the “Klassieker” match between Ajax and Feyenoord should not take place without a police presence. Sunday’s match versus Utrecht has also been postponed.
Another match, away at NAC Breda, went ahead despite police absence owing to the strike.
According to the F-side supporters’ club, fans were “completely fed up that Ajax games are continuously the target of this sort of police action.”
Ajax are unhappy because they are already three matches down in the tournament and games must be repeated at inconvenient times.
The Dutch giants are hoping to rebound from last year’s nightmare season, which saw them prop up the Eredivisie table.
Their two previous matchups have resulted in one win and one loss.
Police have denied that Ajax is being purposefully targeted. Officers also went on strike on Saturday during a huge climate demonstration in The Hague.
AFP
