An Ajax supporter who was banned from stadiums by the KNVB in March, is allowed to return to football. The judge in Den Bosch has ruled that the banned fan has not been given a chance for ‘a fair trial’ and has reversed the stadium ban. The associated fine of 450 euros will also be swept off the table.
The supporter was harshly evicted from the Johan Cruijff ArenA on 6 March during the Ajax – RKC Waalwijk match (3-2) and was told that he would no longer be welcome in a football stadium for thirty months. The man instituted summary proceedings against the KNVB and was found in the right. According to the judge, the procedures used by the football association show ‘fundamental flaws’, as a result of which the fan has had no chance of ‘a fair trial’.
For example, it went wrong with the autonomous Stadium Bans Committee, where people who have been banned from stadiums can appeal: not all the necessary documents were sent, camera images were not viewed and the conviction was based on the statement of only one witness, a flight attendant. The fine is also illegal, because it creates a double penalty for one violation.
Lawyer Marc Houben from Eindhoven, who assisted the Ajax supporter, is not surprised with the judge’s ruling. “If the KNVB deals with all matters like this, many more supporters should go to court,” the lawyer said. General Newspaper. “The judge has made mincemeat of the procedure.” The KNVB announces that it will change the procedure.
The lectures differ on the exact reason for the stadium ban. In any case, at the end of the game a discussion arose on the stairs of the Johan Cruijff ArenA, where the man had already gone to avoid the biggest crowds. At that moment it was still 2-2 and Ajax was looking for the attack. The fan paused on the stairs for just one last chance. A flight attendant urged the man to continue, but was not heard. According to the steward, the man then became verbally aggressive, according to the fan, however, it is a storm in a teacup.
“I may have hesitated a bit to miss a chance from Ajax, but this is done by maybe 2500 people at the end of a match,” he explained to the judge. “And then suddenly I was taken to the elevator by several security guards with a lot of power, had to show my ID and I was kicked out of the stadium.”