Furious Cambuur make a hard-hitting statement: the injured are in a bad way
SC Cambuur have condemned the supporters who set off fireworks during Sunday's match with Feyenoord and fired them towards the pitch and other stands. The Frisian club say five supporters were injured and describe the events as "completely impermissible and unacceptable".
Sunday's game in Leeuwarden was halted after 12 minutes when large quantities of fireworks were set off from the away end in the South Stand. Cambuur say it did not end there, with fireworks also fired towards the pitch and the surrounding stands.
Those consequences now appear more serious than first reported. In an official statement, Cambuur say five supporters were injured and that their condition is not good. They are suffering mainly from burns, hearing damage and eye injuries. "It goes without saying that all care and attention are focused on these injured supporters and everyone at the club feels enormously for them," the club write.
Referee Danny Makkelie sent both teams inside after the incident. The match eventually resumed after the interruption, with Cambuur stressing that the decision was in line with KNVB protocols and was taken after consultation with the parties involved.
On the club's view of the events, Cambuur left no room for doubt. "It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place whatsoever in a football stadium. Together with the authorities, we will do everything in our power to track down and punish the perpetrators."
Sunday evening also brought a strong response from the KNVB. "Setting off fireworks in the stadium is prohibited, unhealthy, dangerous and goes against what football should stand for. It harms players, officials and supporters, and can moreover lead to serious consequences, as with the supporters who were hit by the fireworks."
The Dutch football association have said firm action will be taken against those responsible. "Anyone guilty of this has no place in the stadium. We are doing everything we can to track down the perpetrators and punish them severely. Among other things, they can expect a nationwide stadium ban for setting off fireworks."
