Feyenoord fans injure Cambuur supporters with fireworks in Eredivisie
Five SC Cambuur supporters have suffered burns and eye injuries after Feyenoord fans threw fireworks into the home sections during Sunday’s Eredivisie match in Leeuwarden.
The Dutch top-flight fixture was suspended for approximately 20 minutes in the first half after away supporters ignited numerous red flares.
Several pyrotechnic devices were launched directly at rival spectators.
One explosive detonated on the pitch just metres away from visiting goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.
Feyenoord condemn unacceptable scenes
Robert Eenhoorn, the Rotterdam club’s general manager, strongly criticised the chaotic disruption caused by their own travelling faithful.
“Our own goalkeeper had a flare fired at him and only just managed to avoid it,” Eenhoorn stated.
In a statement released on Monday, the hosts confirmed five individuals required medical attention for various ailments including hearing damage.
The Frisian club pledged to collaborate with local authorities to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever,” a club spokesperson added.
Protocol review follows resuming play
The match was eventually completed despite the distressing scenes in the stands.
Under current Dutch regulations, the fixture would only have been permanently abandoned if a player or match official had been struck by the projectiles.
Jan Bluyssen, manager of professional football competition affairs for the KNVB, admitted that this specific regulation may now need updating.
“That doesn’t feel right. We need to examine whether the protocol is still appropriate and how we might want to adjust it,” Bluyssen told Dutch news agency ANP.
Leeuwarden mayor Foort van Oosten has also promised a full investigation into the security breaches at the Cambuur Stadion.
Recent history of Dutch crowd trouble
The visiting side ultimately secured a 5-2 victory to maintain their unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.
Meanwhile, the newly promoted hosts find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after losing all three of their opening fixtures.
This latest incident follows a troubling trend of pyrotechnic misuse within the Netherlands’ premier football division.
Last season, an Eredivisie clash between Ajax and Groningen was entirely abandoned after spectators repeatedly threw flares onto the playing surface during the opening minutes.