Nijmegen mayor threatens to ban Feyenoord fans over fireworks injuries: ‘They can sit at home’

Feyenoord supporters may be locked out of the club’s next away match unless the perpetrators of a fireworks attack that injured seven people are arrested. Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls has given authorities until early next week to make arrests, or he will ban away fans from the Goffertstadion when NEC hosts Feyenoord on 5 September.

“If it is not clear by early next week whether perpetrators will be apprehended, then Feyenoord fans will just have to sit at home in front of the TV,” Bruls said on the talk show Goedenavond Nederland on 26 August [source: NL Times].

The incident happened during the 12th minute of the Eredivisie match between SC Cambuur and Feyenoord in Leeuwarden on 23 August. Fans in the away section threw a barrage of fireworks into the home supporters’ area, injuring seven people. The match was halted for 20 minutes before Feyenoord went on to win 5-2 [source: DutchNews.nl].

Police have so far made no arrests, though they are reviewing footage to identify the culprits, who had their faces covered. The investigation is ongoing [source: NL Times].

Why the mayor can ban fans

Under Dutch law, the mayor of a municipality (gemeente) has the authority to impose safety measures for public events, including football matches. This power is part of the so-called “driehoek” (triangle) of mayor, police, and public prosecutor, which coordinates security at high-risk games. A mayor can ban away supporters entirely if there is a concrete threat to public order — and Bruls argues that allowing the same group of fans who threw fireworks to attend the next match would be “morally wrong.”

“How do you explain that to a 9-year-old? That you can do something like that and just carry on?” Bruls said [source: NL Times].

What this means for fans and ticket holders

For internationals living in the Netherlands on a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning), a football ban may not be a direct concern, but it illustrates how Dutch mayors can intervene in your weekend plans. If you buy a ticket for an away match you might be refunded or simply locked out, depending on the club’s policy. Feyenoord supporters who already have tickets for the NEC match on 5 September should watch for updates from the club and the municipality of Nijmegen.

Feyenoord’s next away game after the Cambuur incident is indeed at NEC. The match has added significance because NEC just exited the Champions League play-offs after a 6-1 aggregate loss to Bodø/Glimt — a game that ended their hopes of reaching the group stage, though they still qualify for the Europa League [source: DutchNews.nl]. The ban on away fans would therefore affect a match that is already emotionally charged for NEC supporters.

Minister warns on stadium security

Justice Minister David van Weel also appeared on the same talk show and called for stricter checks at stadium entrances. “It is simply half a war arsenal being set off there,” he said, referring to the amount of fireworks seen in the footage. He added that he had received a report on the matter [source: NL Times].

Referee Danny Makkelie, who officiated the Cambuur-Feyenoord match, questioned the existing guidelines. Currently, the rulebook says a match should be abandoned if a player is struck by objects thrown from the crowd, but makes no mention of injuries to supporters. “It’s an agreement made between the clubs, not us,” Makkelie said. “I don’t know what the reason for it is, because it’s just as bad whether players or supporters are hit” [source: DutchNews.nl].

What happens next

Bruls will decide by early next week — likely Monday or Tuesday — whether to impose the ban. If arrests are made before then, away fans will be allowed. If not, the ban will be announced, and Feyenoord supporters will have to watch the match from home. The decision will be made in coordination with the police and the public prosecutor as part of the threehoek.

For anyone living in the Netherlands who follows football, this is a reminder that public order measures can override your ticket. Keep an eye on the official channels of NEC, Feyenoord and the municipality of Nijmegen for updates.