Fans of FC Utrecht are not welcome in De Grolsch Veste on January 22, 2023, when their club takes on FC Twente in the Eredivisie. Mayor Roelof Bleker of Enschede has decided this on the advice of the Public Prosecution Service, the police and FC Twente. The reason for the decision is misconduct by a number of FC Utrecht supporters around the duel in Enschede last September.
Prior to and during that game, which was played on September 11, 2021, cups with beer and other objects were thrown from the visitors’ section to the section below, among other things. In addition, the visitors’ fans wreaked havoc and broke out of the security zone, prompting the Mobile Unit to spring into action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmPXkxXD9po
“This created unsafe situations for other visitors to the football match,” the municipality of Enschede said in a statement. “The triangle (Public Prosecution Service, the police and the mayor) is responsible for public order and safety in Enschede. People who cause destruction, disrupt public order and also endanger the safety of other visitors, police officers and stewards, do not belong in a football stadium.”
That is why the municipality has decided to ban the fans of the current number seven in the Eredivisie from the upcoming meeting, as a result of which the visitors’ section will remain empty. “The intention is to welcome FC Utrecht supporters back to Enschede during the first next match in De Grolsch Veste in the 2023/24 football season,” the municipality concludes.