NETHERLANDS: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Dutch court upholds ban on Ajax fans travelling by bus to their team's weekend clash against PSV leaving them with no way to attend the game

Record ID: 857020

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Dutch court upholds ban on Ajax fans travelling by bus to their team's weekend clash against PSV leaving them with no way to attend the game
  • Date: 19th September 2013
  • Summary: DEN BOSCH, THE NETHERLANDS (SEPTEMBER 19, 2013) (REUTERS) JUDGE EGBERT LOESBERG ENTERING COURTROOM PAPERS ON JUDGE'S TABLE VARIOUS OF COURT IN SESSION (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) JUDGE EGBERT LOESBERG SAYING: "Although it was PSV fans who caused the problems, there is nothing Ajax supporters can do about it, it's very bitter for them, but there is no other option, so they will have to accept this ruling." LOESBERG LEAVING THE COURTROOM PHOTO OF KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER ON THE WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) COURT PRESS OFFICER LIENEKE DE KLERK SAYING: "The judge decided that he could not do anything for the fans of Ajax. They had asked to come to Eindhoven by bus, because train was not possible, but he decided that the mayor of Eindhoven had good grounds to refuse the fans of Ajax because of the security risks in Eindhoven." LEGAL ADVISOR OF MAYOR OF EINDHOVEN, FLORIS VAN LAANEN, TALKING TO JOURNALISTS IN FRONT OF THE COURTHOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEGAL ADVISER TO THE MAYOR OF EINDHOVEN, FLORIS VAN LAANEN, SAYING: "We are satisfied with the court's decision because it is a decision that respects security in Eindhoven. Ajax supporters were welcome in Eindhoven provided they came by train and unfortunately that was impossible due to construction works at Best now they are unable to come. That is very sad of course, but we are glad that the judge chose security." EXTERIOR OF THE COURTHOUSE
  • Embargoed: 4th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Netherlands
  • City:
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Legal System,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8N8JWHGTRI42ZL6SFWK2WERZW
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  • Story Text: A Dutch court on Thursday (September 19) upheld a ban on Ajax Amsterdam fans prohibiting them from travelling by bus to their team's weekend clash against fellow giants PSV, leaving supporters with no way of attending the match.
    Ajax, together with two supporters' groups, had taken the city of Eindhoven -- home of PSV -- to court. The city, wary of possible violence between fans, had previously decided Ajax supporters could only travel to the Philips Stadium by special trains.
    But this is not possible at the weekend because of engineering work set to take place on the railway.
    "Although it was PSV fans who caused the problems, there is nothing Ajax supporters can do about it, it's very bitter for them, but there is no other option, so they will have to accept this ruling," said judge Egbert Loesberg in the Dutch city of den Bosch.
    Dutch railways said earlier in the week they were unable to find a solution.
    Last weekend, Eindhoven allowed a busload of Ajax fans to watch their reserve team play FC Eindhoven in the Dutch second tier but for the coming game, the city decided to refuse the fans that option, and the court could not overturn the mayor's decision.
    "The judge decided that he could not do anything for the fans of Ajax," court press officer, Lieneke de Klerk, said.
    Legal adviser to the mayor of Eindhoven, Floris van Laanen said he was pleased with the ruling.
    "We are satisfied with the court's decision because it is a decision that respects security in Eindhoven," van Laanen told reporters.
    Sunday's match is traditionally one of the highlights of the Dutch season. Between them Ajax and PSV have won 17 of the last 20 Dutch league titles.
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