The situation escalated as fans ignited flares, vandalized
buildings, and clashed with law enforcement following a demonstration.
Local media captured images of Ajax fans seizing bicycles
and barriers while advancing towards the police headquarters, prompting a
response from officers to restore order.
Amsterdam police issued a statement on X, indicating,
"The situation is unstable at the police HQ in Amsterdam. Ajax fans are
vandalizing the building and police vehicles."
They noted that despite multiple warnings, a group of fans
persisted in seeking confrontation, leading the elite riot police to take
action to disperse them.
Earlier that day, fans had gathered to protest the
scheduling of three matches coinciding with police strikes related to pension
issues.
Authorities determined that the "Klassieker" match
between Ajax and Feyenoord could not proceed without police presence, resulting
in the postponement of Sunday’s match against Utrecht. However, another match
against NAC Breda was played despite the absence of police due to the strike.
The F-side supporters’ group expressed their
dissatisfaction, stating that fans are "completely fed up that Ajax games
are continuously the target of this sort of police action."
Ajax is frustrated with being three matches behind in the
championship, with rescheduled games occurring at inconvenient times.
The club is eager to recover from a disappointing previous
season that saw them at the bottom of the Eredivisie table at one point. So
far, they have achieved one win and one loss in their two matches this season.
Police have denied any intentional targeting of Ajax, noting
that officers were also on strike during a significant climate demonstration in
The Hague on Saturday.