Overview
- The Ministry of Justice and the competition board have changed protocol so any fireworks thrown or fired onto the pitch or toward stands will trigger immediate, definitive abandonment of the match.
- Justice Minister David van Weel said the policy removes local discretion and gives fans a predictable consequence for dangerous misconduct.
- Clubs are already using stadium CCTV to identify and discipline individuals, with Feyenoord issuing 47 local stadium bans and FC Utrecht imposing travel restrictions and local bans for supporters involved.
- The KNVB, police and the Public Prosecution Service are investigating incidents and may impose nationwide stadium bans or criminal charges after clubs refer identified supporters.
- The change follows a run of disruptive matches — notably the SC Cambuur–Feyenoord fireworks episode that injured seven people and the FC Utrecht–Go Ahead Eagles game that was abandoned and finished behind closed doors — and officials are now weighing extra measures such as stricter searches, ticket controls and technology to stop fireworks at games.