ADO Den Haag may only admit a limited audience at the upcoming home game(s). The Keuken Kampioen Divisie club cannot yet fully meet the stricter requirements that followed the disturbances surrounding the bizarre play-off match against Excelsior in May.
ADO gave in that game a 3-0 lead in a bizarre way, after which Excelsior promoted to the Eredivisie via penalties. Angry supporters of the home team, who were already sitting on the edge of the field during the game, stormed the field afterwards and threw fireworks at the Excelsior supporters.
Because of the riots, ADO had to play the next home match – last Sunday against FC Den Bosch (0-2) – behind closed doors. Although the club from the court city reports that basic safety is back in order, the local triangle – municipality, police and the Public Prosecution Service – does not see a full stadium yet.
That is why ADO may only receive part of the season ticket holders and business relations in the home match against Jong Ajax on August 28. The club says that the restrictive measure “in all likelihood” will still be in force on September 9, when Jong AZ comes to visit The Hague.
‘We had hoped for more space’
For safety reasons, no away supporters are welcome at the home match against Jong Ajax. After the two games, an evaluation will follow and it will be determined whether the restrictive measures can be relaxed.
“We respect the decision, although we had hoped for more space,” ADO said in a statement on the club’s website. “However, the local triangle does not want to take any risk of recurrence and in that context this is the only acceptable alternative.”
ADO Den Haag could use the support of the public, because the team of trainer Dirk Kuijt has started the new season dramatically. A week before the 0-2 defeat against FC Den Bosch, the Hagenaars went down 4-0 at Heracles Almelo. ADO is therefore still scoreless and goalless.
