Match Cancellation
A Dutch second-division football match between host team Vitesse Arnhem and their counterpart De Graafschap was cancelled after fans of the visiting team prevented their bus from departing to head to the match. Dutch media reports stated that De Graafschap fans gathered outside their stadium in Doetinchem early on Sunday and prevented the bus from leaving.
Reasons for Cancellation
De Graafschap club announced that their fans were barred from attending the match in Arnhem, after fan groups failed to reach an agreement with authorities regarding a reduction in the number of tickets allocated to them and other security measures. The Royal Dutch Football Association clarified, via a press statement, that the match would not be played at its scheduled time and that the matter would be referred to the relevant disciplinary bodies.
Reactions
The body stated: "It is unacceptable that a Vitesse and De Graafschap match is not played in this way; it is absolutely unacceptable for fans to make football impossible." The statement added: "In doing so, they are harming their club, their team, the sport, and thousands of fans who come to watch football." De Graafschap club expressed its shock at the incident, issuing a statement on its official social media platforms as well.
Vitesse's Stance
De Graafschap's statement read: "We want to let the emotions settle and get a full picture of everything before providing a more detailed objective response." Willem van der Lende, Vitesse team manager, confirmed that the match cancellation was a great disappointment, writing in a message published on the club's website: "The wonderful Gelderland derby between two regional clubs in a packed stadium could not be organized. Vitesse did everything in its power, in close cooperation with all concerned parties, in the period preceding the match to save the game and play it."
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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