Fans of the visiting club stopped their own team’s bus outside Het Gelredome in Arnhem on Sunday afternoon, furious that they weren’t allowed to attend the fixture.
The Eerste Divisie match between Vitesse and De Graafschap was called off an hour before kick-off after local security authorities deemed it irresponsible to admit away supporters. Serious disturbances surrounding last year’s meeting between the rival clubs led officials to cap the away allocation at 500 De Graafschap fans, down from the usual 800.
Safety Conditions and Breakdown in Talks
Under the conditions set for the fixture, De Graafschap had to meet explicit safety requirements, including allowing inspections of any fan display materials before supporters arrived. Vitesse stated that police information and talks revealed on Saturday evening that some supporters were refusing to comply. Fans reportedly insisted on bringing display materials in a manner that breached prior agreements.
Local authorities feared a serious disruption of public order and safety both around and inside the stadium. The dispute centered squarely on enforcing these display-material checks alongside the reduced 500-fan limit, leaving players and officials in limbo after initial matchday preparations had already begun at the venue.
Arnhem Mayor Explains the Abandonment
Ahmed Marcouch, the mayor of Arnhem, pointed to the unwillingness of supporters to follow agreed-upon safety protocols as the deciding factor in the late cancellation. Football belongs to everyone, Marcouch stated, but added that hospitality is not a licence to disregard safety agreements.
Over the previous few weeks, authorities gave De Graafschap every opportunity and means to ensure the match could proceed safely with away fans present. Another attempt was made on Saturday to reach workable agreements, but officials pulled the plug once it became clear that supporters refused to abide by the conditions and the visiting club could not guarantee compliance.
| Match Detail | Original Plan | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Het Gelredome, Arnhem | Match Abandoned |
| Away Allocation | 500 supporters (reduced from 800) | Barred completely |
Uncertainty now surrounds when or if the fixture will be rescheduled, as local security officials evaluate ongoing public safety risks in Arnhem.
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