Chaos as Ajax thugs riot and smash up stadium with cops forced to use tear gas after game against Feyenoord is abandoned
THE Eredivisie clash between Ajax and Feyenoord at the Johan Cruyff Arena was abandoned this afternoon after fans threw flares onto the pitch.
With Ajax 3-0 down after 55 minutes, some home supporters began throwing flares onto the pitch in a bid to get the match abandoned.
The match was temporarily paused before half-time due to ‘fireworks’ on the pitch.
The same thing happened after the break, but officials eventually deemed it too unsafe for the match to continue.
After play was stopped, a short social media statement from the Eredivisie read: “The Classic is permanently stopped after repeated fireworks on the field.
“More information about how to complete this match will follow later.”
Ajax fans reportedly began turning against each other in frustration during the first half when Feyenoord went 2-0 up.
Dutch outlet AD has described the incident as “one of the saddest crises in Ajax’s 123-year history”.
Some fans continued to show their anger after the match was abandoned by vandalising the stadium.
Footage on social media shows some furious supporters smashing windows and doors in anger.
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Riot police were called to the scene and some fans were subsequently charged at by horses.
The police used tear gas in a bid to disperse the large crowd of protesters.
Tensions at the Johan Cruyff Arena have been mounting for weeks amid the club’s poor start to the season.
Ajax currently sit 13th in the Eredivisie table with one win, one defeat and two draws in five games.
Manager Maurice Steijn has come under fire recently for the club’s poor form.
Technical director Sven Mislintat has also received heavy criticism from fans.
Ajax issued a statement shortly after the fallout which read: “The management and Supervisory Board of Ajax distance themselves from the misconduct that led to the abandonment of the match against Feyenoord on Sunday and the disturbances afterwards. This is not the behaviour that belongs to Ajax.
“Disappointment about the poor start to the season is completely understandable, but should never be the reason for disturbances.
“We apologise to anyone who has felt unsafe or has been bothered by this in any other way.”