"Ajax considers what happened in the stadium this evening to be utterly outrageous," the Amsterdam club said in a statement. "We offer our apologies to everyone who has been affected in any way. The safety of spectators and players has been put at risk. That is unacceptable. "We emphatically distance ourselves from this misconduct. Fireworks do not belong in the stadium."
"The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said it "fully understands" the "disappointment" of the "vast majority of well-meaning Ajax supporters and the travelling FC Groningen supporters". "Those who do this are not there for the match or the football. It is sad for those who do support their club, the true supporters," they said in a statement. The Eredivisie said there will be "a disciplinary investigation" into the "unacceptable events surrounding Sunday evening's match"."
Referee Bas Nijhuis removed players within five minutes after fireworks and flares were ignited behind a goal at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Attempts to restart the match 45 minutes later were met with more fireworks and the game was formally abandoned. The match will resume on Tuesday at 14:30 CET and will be played behind closed doors. Ajax called the display utterly outrageous, apologized to those affected and said the safety of spectators and players was put at risk. KNVB expressed understanding for disappointed supporters and the Eredivisie announced a disciplinary investigation. Ajax searched fans with sniffer dogs, will review camera footage to identify perpetrators, and pledged to take appropriate measures against offenders.
Read at www.bbc.com
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