Evgeniy Levchenko expresses concerns about the safety in Dutch stadiums. The chairman of the players' union VVCS believes it's time for the involved parties to take action and implement measures in response to the disturbances during De Klassieker.
The league match between Ajax and Feyenoord was halted last Sunday after 55 minutes, as fireworks were thrown onto the pitch for the second time. It's not the first time an Eredivisie match was prematurely terminated for this reason. The same happened last season during FC Groningen – Ajax.
Levchenko calls on the clubs, the KNVB, police, and judiciary to more emphatically ensure safety in Dutch stadiums, in general, and for the players in particular. 'How can so much fireworks enter a stadium? And if that's possible, what else can be brought in by those with malicious intent?' the Ukrainian wonders.
The growing concerns about the safety of spectators and players are shared by the Johan Cruijff Arena, which responded on Twitter Monday afternoon to the turmoil from Sunday afternoon around the main entrance of the stadium. 'Supporters and our staff should always feel safe in The Arena.'
The fact that the stadium management had to read in the newspaper that supporters felt unsafe in The Arena for the first time, brings sorrow. After the halted Klassieker, Ajax sent an email to its supporters apologizing for the disturbances. As a consequence, the match against Feyenoord on Wednesday will be played without an audience.
