Harry Styles forces Ajax to switch stadium as club threatens boycott | Football | Sport
Harry Styles’ forthcoming concert diary has compelled Ajax to shift their vital Eredivisie Conference League play-off semi-final against Groningen to FC Volendam’s intimate Kras Stadion on Thursday. That encounter now faces possible cancellation, with Groningen supporters banned from attending.
The decision comes after hooligan violence involving Volendam fans following their 2-1 loss to Telstar last Sunday. The municipality of Edam-Volendam confirmed the decision to exclude away fans on Monday, characterising the events as ‘riots that had nothing to do with football’ and stating police, supporters and local residents were impacted. “Still, excluding away supporters currently is necessary to ensure safety around the stadium, in the village, and in public space as much as possible,” a statement read.
With Ajax prevented from using their home venue as Harry Styles has performances scheduled there in the coming weeks, Volendam, who consented to lease out their ground, are also contesting the promotion-relegation play-offs. They meet Willem II at home on May 23, merely two days after Ajax’s fixture and away fans are likewise prohibited.
According to Dutch outlet AD, the ruling has triggered fury at Groningen and Willem II. Groningen are understood to have contested the decision and are presently in emergency discussions with the local mayor in a bid to prevent an unprecedented fixture cancellation.
A club statement read: “Monday morning, FC Groningen was unpleasantly surprised with the announcement that supporters of the club are not allowed to travel to Volendam next Thursday. FC Groningen has engaged the professional football league board and is considering the steps to be taken.”
Refusing to dismiss the prospect of an historic strike that could throw the Eredivisie post-season into chaos, Groningen general manager Frank van Mosselveld said: “We are now looking at where our options and resources lie to take action against this. This is outrageous. Look, the sporting aspect must come first.
“But we all find this so unacceptable and unjust that we are first trying to ensure that supporters are allowed to attend on Thursday. All scenarios are on the table. We are not ruling anything out at this moment. It surprises and overwhelms us. This is so unjust.”
A statement by KNVB (Royal Netherlands Football Association), confirmed: “The professional football competition board took note this morning of the decision of the mayor of Edam-Volendam that no away crowd is welcome at the matches Ajax – FC Groningen and FC Volendam – Willem II. This afternoon there was a good conversation with the mayor. In this conversation, the competition board kindly but urgently asked him to reconsider his decision.”
Ajax wrapped up fifth place to claim the Conference League berth, while Groningen secured ninth position, also sufficient for a place in European football. The two clubs will now go head-to-head for a spot in the final, where they will face either Utrecht or Heerenveen, who clash on May 21.
Elsewhere, Volendam ended their campaign in 16th place, condemning them to the relegation play-offs, while Willem II sealed a promotion play-off berth by finishing third in the Eerste Divisie.
Volendam will travel to Willem II for the first leg on May 20, before the return fixture takes place three days later.
