Before kick-off, fireworks were ignited on the stadium's first tier of the South side. The match was briefly suspended in the first half after a cup had made its way onto the pitch. The match was resumed after the person responsible was identified and removed from the stadium. A little while later, a second suspension occurred after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch from, again, the first tier on the South side.
This happened again in the second half, so according to the KNVB protocol, the match was suspended. After that, multiple disturbances occurred around the stadium, which caused police officers to get injured and the main entrance of the stadium to sustain significant damage.
Ajax immediately distanced themselves from these disturbances. The behaviour that led to the suspension of the match and the disorders afterwards are strictly disapproved of by Ajax and do not belong in football.
The prosecutor of the KNVB has launched a preliminary investigation into the firework incidents in the stadium. A settlement proposal was made, which the club accepted. The settlement proposal means that the first-tier of the South side of the stadium will remain empty during the match Ajax - Vitesse and that the season ticket holders of that area will not have any access to the stadium. Besides that, Ajax will receive a €25.000,- fine. The suspended sentence of one match without spectators, which Ajax still had due to a previous fireworks incident during Ajax-Feyenoord in 2022, remains in effect.
So far, Ajax has identified and punished more than 50 people involved in the incidents mentioned above. The policy of imposing fines and recovering damages from those responsible will continue to be the guiding principle.
The supporters directly affected by this sanction will receive a message from the club.
