Erik ten Hag and Valentijn Driessen do not fully agree on Sunday afternoon after FC Utrecht – Ajax (0-3) about the way in which Ajax has approached the much-discussed training camp. Ajax decided to return to the Netherlands early after some players were infected with the corona virus. The Amsterdammers ignored the corona rules on the return flight, by having the positively tested foursome fly back in a separate plane. The Ajax players came under criticism from Hugo de Jonge, among other things. Ten Hag informs Driessen that he does not understand the fuss that has arisen.
“You can indeed ask yourself whether we should have left, but that is also a bit of looking at the bull in the ass,” said Ten Hag at the press conference after the won duel with FC Utrecht. “Who knows what kind of impact omikron would have? In retrospect we all know. We acted very carefully and professionally, for example by testing, while according to the rules this was not necessary at all.”
“A number of things came to light there and we had to anticipate that,” continues Ten Hag. “I think we did that in an extremely careful way so as not to allow the risk of infections within the team and society to take place. You can see the effect, our players are fit and fortunately not infected. Today we can also achieve the result that we wanted and in doing so we have also protected society.”
Driessen concludes from Ten Hag’s reaction that he does not agree with the fuss that has arisen about Ajax’s decision to allow the four positively tested players to return to the Netherlands. “I do not agree with that indignation”, confirms the Ajax coach. “Of course, rules for a society cannot always be the same as top sport. Sure, we realize that as top athletes we are moving along the lines and on the boundaries, but we have not taken any major risks or done anything that would be a major risk to society.”
“Are you saying that the rules that apply in society do not always apply in top sport, you don’t mean that?” Driessen reacts indignantly. “That’s how you interpret it”, Ten Hag then says. “Well, we tested, while that was not even necessary at all.” Ten Hag and Driessen ultimately do not agree on how Ajax has dealt with the corona outbreak. The behavior of the Amsterdammers led to a storm of criticism, including from De Jonge, the former outgoing minister of Health, Welfare and Sport.
“Everyone has to adhere to the rules that a country sets,” De Jonge said in an interview with The Telegraph on the corona riot around Ajax. “Athletes are not deferred from laws and regulations, athletes are not above the law. So it means you have to quarantine if you are infected. And don’t fly, those are the rules. Ajax has been called to account for this, everyone must adhere to the rules. Yes, I have contacted Ajax. I’ll leave what I’ve said between us. It is important that the rules are properly observed and that those who have tested positive go through the agreed period of self-isolation.”