Fan Protests Force Abandonment of Pepi's Groningen Match

 

Crowd trouble brought a premature end to Groningen's clash with Ajax as the home fans' history for disruption continued.

The Dutch top-flight match between Groningen and Ajax was abandoned after only a few minutes as fans threw smoke bombs onto the pitch. A supporter also ran across the pitch with a message for the board after the the clubs relegation to the Eerste Divisie.

OFFICIAL: Groningen vs. Ajax has been abandoned after the game was initially stopped due to objects being thrown and fans entering the pitch. pic.twitter.com/GLxouk5qDZ

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 14, 2023

 It is not the first incident of crowd trouble involving Groningen. A fan recently punched defender Jetro Willems, and another one of their matches was abandoned due to a beer striking an official.

Dutch football authorities have brought in emergency measures in recent weeks to deal with crowd trouble after a lighter struck Davy Klaassen in a cup match earlier in the spring. The measures ensure incidents like today can't spiral out of control and games are abandoned if objects enter the pitch.

 The game will likely be replayed midweek as has been the process from previous abandonments.