Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV have mixed feelings about the decision that the KNVB took on Friday about the end of the Eredivisie. The top clubs can agree with it, even if they are disappointed. PSV is also surprised about the way the voting round went on Friday.
“We would have liked to be champions and have been at the top all year round, but in this situation it is also understandable. There are much more important things than football,” says Ajax’s managing director Edwin van der Sar on the club’s site.
“It’s a double feeling. There is now clarity towards next season, but a few weeks ago we discussed whether we could play with the audience and now there is no football until September 1.”
Ajax can hope for a direct ticket for the main tournament of the Champions League in. Then the winner of the current CL season – if that is already played out – must qualify for the billions ball through their own national competition.
On Friday, Ajax chose not to vote at the KNVB meeting. “Because clubs can vote in such a way that they benefit from it themselves, while the KNVB has to make the decision,” says Van der Sar.
Feyenoord: ‘It is very unfortunate to end like this’
There is also relief and disappointment at Feyenoord, which is the number three winner of a Europa League ticket. The fifteen-time national champion points out that the decision will only be final if UEFA approves May 27.
“It would of course be good for Feyenoord if this is ultimately the outcome. Playing European matches is important for the development of our players and for the appearance and finances of the club,” said general director Mark Koevermans on the Feyenoord site.
“On the other hand, it is a real shame that we have to end the competition like this. We were in such a great flow that I will always wonder what would have been possible if we could have just finished the competition . “
The KNVB also put a line through the cup final, which means that Feyenoord also sees that chance of a prize disappearing. The team of trainer Dick Advocaat would face FC Utrecht in the final battle.
PSV surprised at voting procedure
General manager Toon Gerbrands of number four PSV can agree with the ticket for the Europa League qualifying round that his club will receive. However, he is especially surprised that PSV was involved in the decision-making about whether or not to assign a champion and promotion / relegation, while the club, like Ajax, had not voted.
“We explicitly let you know that. We also did not know that a non-vote would count in determining a majority for or against. We were never told,” he told the Eindhoven Daily.
“We have deliberately chosen not to be involved in this discussion, just like a number of other clubs. You are talking about the future of a club. Such a decision might mean that a club is experiencing incredible financial difficulties could come. “
Incidentally, KNVB director Eric Gudde said after the meeting that the nine blank votes were not included in the determination of a majority, but that the union put the vote aside because it was not unambiguous.
Follow all developments and reactions about the end of the Eredivisie season in our live blog.
– .
