The Dutch government pledged, Thursday, to conduct a high-level investigation into the stoppage of the semi-final match between Ajax Amsterdam and its host Feyenoord Rotterdam, following a player sustained head injuries as a result of a projectile thrown from the stands.
The match was stopped for regarding thirty minutes, following Ajax midfielder Davy Claassen hit his head, in a match that saw the fans launch firecrackers and anti-Semitic chants.
Justice Minister Dylan Yeselguz said the incident would be investigated “at the highest level.”
The Minister of Justice and Sports Minister Connie Helder will hold talks with the Dutch Football Association, clubs, municipalities and the police to find out what happened.
“If the situation continues as it is, we will reach a situation where even the fans of the home team are banned,” Yeselguz told the ANB news agency.
The match between Ajax and its rival Feyenoord is often riotous.
FIFA President Jani Infantino urged the Dutch authorities to take action, while the Dutch Federation denounced what happened, “Dutch football has reached a new bottom.”
He continued, “Thousands of fans come to the stadiums to watch the players play football. It’s crazy that they are not safe on the field.”
Referee Allard Lindhout stopped the match in the 63rd minute for regarding half an hour, following throwing a lighter from the stands, hitting Klassen in the head, leaving the stadium with blood flowing from him.
Ajax won the match 2-1 in the end, and reached the final to meet other rivals, PSV.
Claassen scored the winning goal for his team in the 51st minute, and tried to continue following the match restarted, but he came out following a few minutes holding his head.
While local newspapers called for action, De Telegraaf daily asked: “How long will this last? Something seriously wrong with this classic, as visiting fans are by no means allowed.”