Friday, February 24, 2023 at 3:20 PM• Bart DHanis • Last update: 15:23

The KNVB has responded to the decision taken by Sybrand Buma, the mayor of Leeuwarden, to no longer allow away supporters at SC Cambuur. The professional football competition board (which includes the KNVB, Eredivisie and Keuken Kampioen Division) believes that, in principle, the supporters of both clubs should be able to be present at every match. “That creates the atmosphere in the stadiums and is part of professional football”, can be read in the statement that the KNVB released on Friday afternoon.

The KNVB admits that ‘unfortunately’ there are disturbances around matches, but points to the action framework for football & safety drawn up in 2023. This trading framework was drawn up and presented jointly by all football mayors and provides guidelines for preparing for matches and dealing with disturbances, so that it is clear and predictable what measures can be taken if things do go wrong. “This should ensure a uniform line in the approach,” says the KNVB.

According to the framework of action, football municipalities are allowed to refuse certain groups of supporters on the basis of previous disturbances, but it is not the intention that municipalities ban all away supporters from the stadium. “However, some municipalities recently decided not to allow away supporters at all this season after misconduct by a visiting supporters group. This measure does not fit into the framework of action,” the KNVB said in a response.

According to the KNVB, supporters of one club should not be subjected to the behavior of supporters of another club. Go Ahead also says it is ‘displeased’ by the decision. “Of course we are not happy with this at all,” says general manager Jan Willem van Dop. way in which we should deal with matches in professional football. Now our supporters are the victims of what non-benevolent supporters have caused in Leeuwarden in recent times. ” Go Ahead will play an away game in Leeuwarden on March 5.