A Dutch Cup match was abandoned after a series of remarkable incidents.
With 38 minutes gone, an Ajax supporter ran onto the pitch and headed towards Esteban, Alkmaar’s Costa Rican goalkeeper.
The fan swang a kick at the keeper who brought down the 19-year-old hooligan and kicked him twice while he lay on the pitch before Alkmaar’s Finnish captain Niklas Moisander restrained him.
Stewards intervened and took the invading fan away.
Referee Bas Nijhuis shocked 50,000 spectators by showing the keeper the red card, explaining post match:
“I understand that Esteban was defending himself, but he walked to him (the supporter) and kicked him multiple times. He could also have walked away.”
AZ Alkmaar coach Gert Jan Verbeek ordered his side off and attempts to convince them to return failed with club director Toon Gerbrands later adding that the players didn’t feel safe anymore in this situation.
Nijhuis called the match off with Ajax leading 1-0 through a Gregory van der Wiel goal.
Ajax Director Jeroen Slop told the club’s official website that the pitch invader has been banned for life.
“This was a terrible incident and we deeply regret it and offer our sincere apologies. The supporter has been handed over to the police. It was a 19-year-old man who was probably under the influence of alcohol. He said he hated the AZ goalkeeper and had therefore attacked him.”
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have opened an investigation into Wednesday’s events and will decide on the matter on December 28. They can order a replay, play the remainder or allow the result to stand.
A statement read:
‘The case has been submitted to the prosecutor of football. He will see if there is guilt and report his findings. There are three options: the game is played [completed], the game is replayed, or the respective position is regarded as the final score.’
Former Ajax player and now club official Danny Blind called the incident a historical low point for the Amsterdam club.
After the game, there were 25 further arrests of Ajax fans according to one German website.
The Dutch FA have since rescinded the red card.
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