Ajax was not to speak about the actions of the KNVB around the death of Elisa (21), the girlfriend of Jong Ajax midfielder Mark Verkuijl. Trainer Willem Weijs announced on Monday evening that he had no need for the match against RKC Waalwijk, but the association did not allow the match to be postponed.
The drama happened on Thursday afternoon, when Elisa was hit while running in Ede. The 21-year-old woman later died from her injuries.
There was a lot of emotion among the entire selection, staff and management of Ajax. Everyone sympathized enormously with Elisa’s relatives, Weijs explained. There was therefore no need for a match on Monday. Yet Jong Ajax had to take action from the KNVB, and that led to misunderstanding.
In conversation with De Telegraaf, a KNVB spokesperson said that the protocol has been followed. “First and foremost, it is terrible that Mark Verkuijl’s girlfriend died in an accident. Our thoughts go out to Jong Ajax player Mark Verkuijl, family and his in-laws, friends and relatives and to his teammates and staff.”
“In situations like these, it is an extremely difficult decision whether or not matches should go ahead. We understand that such decisions raise questions and discussion, because they inevitably affect emotions, circumstances and people,” the spokesperson continues.
We also apply a policy in which matches are in principle only postponed if there is the death of a player or staff member.”
“That does not alter the fact that this remains a difficult choice and does not detract from the seriousness of what happened, this is a very drastic and sad event,” the KNVB said.
