Ajax is ‘very disappointed’ that no spectators are welcome in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday at the possible championship match against FC Emmen, the club reports in a statement. The caretaker cabinet decided on Thursday afternoon not to extend the national pilot with access tests, so that the stadiums in the Eredivisie will be empty in the coming round of play.
On Sunday, 7,500 fans were still present at the game between Ajax and AZ (2-0), in which Ajax unofficially crowned itself the champion of the Netherlands. Ajax writes that that test went satisfactorily, so that ‘there was hope and expectation’ that a limited audience could also be present in the last rounds of the Eredivisie. General director Edwin van der Sar is disappointed that the cabinet has decided otherwise.
“We find it incomprehensible”, says Van der Sar on the Ajax website. “Last week there were almost 7500 supporters in the ArenA at Ajax – AZ, everyone had been tested. And it all went well. The enthusiasm was enormous and palpable in the stadium. Emmen is coming here on Sunday. It tasted like more but it’s getting a lot less. In fact, this feels like we’re back to square one. “
“I agree with the words of the KNVB, ECV and KKD, who concluded that the pilot was a blank and that it cannot be explained to fans”, the former keeper continues. “We want to end this season nicely and that includes supporters. Unfortunately, our patience is being tested again.” Earlier on Thursday, Supporterscollectief Nederland, an umbrella organization for all supporters associations and groups of professional football clubs, already announced that it disapproved the decision.
Matthijs Keuning, chairman of the body, said to it Algemeen Dagblad that “there is no longer any rope to be tied” to political decision-making. “First the cabinet says that there should be a slow loosening up and then, after a successful weekend with the public, it is decided that no more fans are allowed to go to the stadiums. There is no longer any ropes”, said Keuning, who spoke of a ‘ill-considered, unnecessary and bureaucratic decision’.
The Ajax supporters’ association also deeply regrets that the stadium remains empty during the possible championship match. “As SV Ajax, we find this decision extremely disappointing. We have been calling since August 2020 that testing events should take place. Now that this has finally happened and proved successful, such a decision cannot be explained to the supporters”, said director Fabian Nagtzaam. “We have great respect for all champions in healthcare and this should never be overloaded, but in our opinion the previous test events, including last Sunday’s match in the Johan Cruijff Arena, proved that it is possible.”