Dutch Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Rioters after Ajax v Feyenoord Suspended

Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
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Dutch Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Rioters after Ajax v Feyenoord Suspended

Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Ajax Amsterdam's home Eredivisie game against defending champions Feyenoord was suspended on Sunday as fans threw flares onto the pitch, and mounted police used tear gas to disperse rioting fans outside the stadium.

A group of angry Ajax fans tried to force their way into the Arena stadium after the game was halted, leading the police to disperse them with tear gas, Amsterdam police wrote on social media platform X.

"After the stopped game supporters broke into the main (stadium) entrance. Order has since been restored," Reuters quoted the police as saying.

"It is a jet black day, this makes it even worse," Ajax coach Maurice Steijn told broadcaster NOS.

Ajax were 3-0 down in the second half when the game was suspended.

Ajax, who have had a poor start to the season with just one win, sit 13th in the 18-team league and they conceded all three goals in the first half.

When flares were thrown onto the pitch for a second time, with many landing near the goal, the referee stopped the match and directed the players down the tunnel.

Fans paid no heed as the club displayed the message "Lighting of fireworks is prohibited" on the big screen at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

"De Klassieker has been permanently suspended after repeated fireworks on the field," Eredivisie said in a statement.

"More information on playing out this game will follow later."

Ajax finished third last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons. They had finished champions seven times and runners-up another five over the previous 12 seasons.



Antonelli Named as Hamilton’s Replacement at Formula 1's Mercedes

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Antonelli Named as Hamilton’s Replacement at Formula 1's Mercedes

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix race at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Teenager Kimi Antonelli has been named as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement next year at Mercedes, a day after his Formula One debut ended in the 18-year-old driver hitting the wall.
Antonelli took over for George Russell in the opening practice session for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
But his much-anticipated first appearance lasted fewer than six laps, and only 10 minutes, after he lost control of his Mercedes at the Parabolica, sliding backwards through the gravel and into the tire barrier.
Team principal Toto Wolff said Saturday the crash would have no impact on Antonelli’s F1 chances, and confirmation of his elevation as a junior driver with the team was confirmed ahead of final practice at his home event.
“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” said Antonelli. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy."