Fire at the Euroborg

How is this for a match report? : One person suffered minor injuries, three hospitalized, and 19 treated for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. The match never even got underway between Ajax and FC Groningen before a fire broke out in the stands. The Euroborg was evacuated, and the match was postponed. No replay date has been announced, but it would have to be soon. I knew this match was going to be ugly, for Suarez, Silva, and Lindgren all played for Groningen this season or last. I read reports of black t-shirts with unflattering messages aimed at Ajax being distributed, then a fire breaks out.

And is a neutral site for the replay too much to ask? Probably. A neutral site would be too harsh on Groningen and their fans, not to mention their own European aspirations. I never knew fans at the Euroborg to be this unruly, and I would not be surprised to learn that the fire was entirely accidental. There was always going to be rowdy atmosphere, but no one should go off and blame fans for this until more is known. I have not seen anything blaming either set of supporters. And I am keeping my fingers crossed.

In all seriousness, I think fans of any side hope for a speedy recovery to those injured.

So, depending on the date of the replay, the Eredivisie may be heading to another photo finish on the final match day. PSV was held at home by FC Twente! This puts the deficit at 6 with two more Ajax matches to go. Ajax must win two and PSV must lose. (I never thought I’d be saying this but…) The goal differential puts Ajax +4. So, should the Eredivisie come down to goals, Ajax will win. Or at least my abacus says they will. But, you know me, I don’t expect PSV to drop any more cheap points (wink, wink, WINK).

Category: Team News

Tags: fan unrest, FC Groningen, Team News

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