Feyenoord Fans Cause Chaos with Fireworks, Injuring SC Cambuur Supporters

Supporters of SC Cambuur suffered burns, hearing damage, and eye injuries when visiting Feyenoord fans threw fireworks during a league fixture in Leeuwarden on Sunday. The incident led to a 20-minute suspension of play in the first half after Feyenoord's away section ignited numerous red flares and launched pyrotechnics, with several aimed at home fans. One firework even detonated on the pitch near Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst. Feyenoord general manager Robert Eenhoorn condemned the disruption as "simply terrible," noting that their goalkeeper narrowly avoided injury from a flare. In a statement released on Monday, SC Cambuur confirmed that five fans had been injured and vowed to collaborate with authorities to identify those responsible. The club emphasized: "Setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever." Leeuwarden mayor Foort van Oosten also denounced the incident, promising an investigation. The Dutch football association announced it would review its protocols for crowd disorder in light of the event. Despite the injuries, the match resumed, though it would have been abandoned had a player or official been hit. Jan Bluyssen, KNVB manager of professional football competition affairs, stated to Dutch news agency ANP that they needed to reassess the appropriateness of the current protocol. Ultimately, Feyenoord secured a 5-2 victory, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season, while newly promoted Cambuur faced their third consecutive defeat. This incident echoes a previous occurrence last season when a match between Ajax and Groningen was abandoned due to similar fireworks-related chaos, prompting Ajax to express outrage and distance themselves from such misconduct.

Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-08-24