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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The Dutch FA have since rescinded the red card.
More Photos from the Daily Mail
New York Times – Goalkeeper Gone Wild
12 Comments
“The Dutch FA have since rescinded the red card.”
This is incorrect.
“The Dutch FA’s disciplinary committee later intervened and, while confirming Nijhuis was right to show the red card, ruled that Alvarado would not be suspended as a result, due to the exceptional circumstances. AZ praised the intervention as “only right… this is the best decision”.
What you reported is essentially saying the referee was wrong and he was not. He was correct in issuing the red card and the FA agreed with him, they just ruled that he would not be suspended and extra game.
Sorry the KNVB not the FA.
Sorry my friend, I know you regard it as your life long mission to support the oft beleaguered refereeing fraternity, but this is utter pedantry.
Several other news outlets reported it as being rescinded.
What you claimed I was essentially saying, was all in your head.
It’s called the straw man argument on the messageboards. Tell someone what you want them to be saying (even if they didn’t say it), so you can shoot it down.
By doing so, what you are essentially saying is that Paris is the capital of Germany.
Alkmaar’s coach did the best thing… Get everyone out of there, cause it could only escalate…
What? How is this a strawman argument I’m stating a fact. The card was not rescinded…they supported the referee and said he was RIGHT to give the red card. What they did was not enforce the ban that comes from a red card.
It really is that simple…I’m not being rude or anything I was merely pointing out a detail that you missed.
“Several other news outlets reported it as being rescinded.”
Yes and they’re wrong as well, wouldn’t be the first time.
I never said you were being rude.
Just as I never said the referee was wrong.
Here’s the translation from the KNVB.
“The prosecutor indicated that referee Bas Nijhuis under the rules field football the red card given correctly. Nevertheless, the prosecutor – looking at the specific circumstances – believe that the goalkeeper is in a situation of such an emotion has established that he entered reaction is carried out. ‘The keeper was unexpectedly attacked, he saw his assailant not arriving. The prosecutor believes that such a reaction prompted no disciplinary consequences should have. This action will bring Esteban therefore not suspended, “said a spokeswoman for the union. ,, Further, the union at this time because of the ongoing investigation by the prosecutor not discuss the substance of the events. ”
Notice the FIRST sentence. The Red Card was correct. Thank you very much, go back to journalism school.
I never said the card was wrong. You said I said it.
Go back to er ….. commenter school?
Saw the video, that fan’s lucky he didn’t get his ass beat worse. I’m a little surprised it took so long for security to get out there. Massive props to the coach for getting his team off the field, that game could only end worse.
The clip at eredivisie.nl is long but if you watch the “samenvatting” (highlights) of the AZ vs. Ajax match, it gives you the whole perspective. Absolutely insane. The guy was drunk, got a ticket from a friend because he had been banned for the season for previous violations of conduct and he received a life time ban from the club for this incident. Plus, my understanding reading the dutch is rescinded, I am not going to be too hard on the ref. I have watched him officiate many eredivisie matches and he is quality, but the KNVB is correct. Lets see what they decide going into the January, replay, finnish or allow the 1-0 Ajax score line stand. I am thinking a complete replay at a neutral site or closed arena.
Match replayed, keeper eligible and an empty Amsterdam Arena. I guess the KNVB got it right.