During the semi-final of the KNVB Cup between Feyenoord and Ajax, a lighter was probably thrown from the stands in De Kuip in Rotterdam, which ended up on Klaassen’s head. The man from Roelofarendsveen has been arrested for this.
According to the police spokesman, images show that more objects have been thrown from the stands, which may involve more people. “We are investigating this.”
During the cup match, a second person was arrested for setting off heavy fireworks. Police could not say Thursday morning whether the suspect is still in custody.
After the incident, referee Allard Lindhout stopped the game for half an hour after 62 minutes. Shortly after the game resumed, Klaassen sat down on the floor and was replaced. Ajax won the match 1-2 and reached the final of the KNVB Cup tournament. PSV is the opponent on April 30.
Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb of Rotterdam says that he finds it ‘disappointing’ that it was necessary to stop the match, due to ‘someone who apparently pretends to be a supporter’. “Thanks to quick detective work by the Feyenoord organization and the police, the suspect was arrested. He can now explain it to the judge. I was there and I go home with a bad aftertaste.”
According to Aboutaleb, incidents like this once again illustrate how loaded the Classic is, and why it is not easy to allow the away supporters of both clubs to go back and forth.
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