football

NEC Nijmegen's return to European football after 18 years began with a 5-0 loss to Juventus but improved with a 1-1 draw against Levski Sofia. The club's struggles to integrate new signings mirror challenges faced by expats adapting to life in the Netherlands.

Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten has reaffirmed the ban on Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters for the October 15 Europa League match against AZ, citing security risks linked to the 2024 Amsterdam violence. Israel has applied diplomatic pressure, including a call from the ambassador and a foreign minister-level discussion, but the municipality stands firm. A US-based legal group is considering a discrimination lawsuit.

Xavi Hernández's first match as Netherlands coach ended in a 1-1 draw with Germany, thanks to a stoppage-time volley from Cody Gakpo. The new coach has brought an attacking philosophy, recalled Joey Veerman, and kept Virgil van Dijk as captain. For international fans, this signals a shift from Koeman's defensive approach and a return to Dutch total football.

Feyenoord has banned 47 supporters after a fireworks attack on SC Cambuur fans left seven injured, some with permanent hearing loss. The self-imposed away fan ban for two matches is now followed by individual stadium bans, though no criminal arrests have been made. For expats, it highlights the Dutch system of collective and individual sanctions for football misconduct.

Seven SC Cambuur fans were injured by Feyenoord supporters' fireworks, with some suffering permanent hearing loss. No arrests have been made. Feyenoord banned its own away fans for two matches, and Nijmegen's mayor threatened a similar ban. The club has identified dozens of perpetrators for stadium bans.

Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls has threatened to ban Feyenoord fans from the NEC match on 5 September unless arrests are made for a fireworks attack that injured seven SC Cambuur supporters. Police are reviewing footage but have made no arrests so far. The mayor says letting the perpetrators attend the next away game would be morally wrong.

An independent audit finds that the Netherlands' 2018 action plan against fireworks in stadiums is a 'paper reality.' After seven fans were injured at SC Cambuur vs. Feyenoord, the report calls for better technology, access control, and accountability. For international attendees, fireworks risks remain real.

Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands national football team, becoming the first foreign coach since 1978. He called the Netherlands the 'university of football' and signed a four-year contract with no performance conditions tied to Euro 2028.