40 football hooligans arrested in Amsterdam

Around 40 football supporters, mostly Dutch, were arrested during widespread disturbances in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening in connection with the friendly between the Netherlands and England. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.


A police spokesman speaking on BNR radio on Thursday morning confirmed that about 40 trouble-makers had been detained for public disorder offences. Some nine were still in custody on Thursday morning.
According to press reports, a group of between 250 and 300 Dutch supporters, mainly fans of the Amsterdam club Ajax and Twente FC, were spoiling for a confrontation with English fans in the area between the red light district and Dam square.
Riot police using horses and dogs charged the crowd and encircled the hooligans who were searched, filmed and had their personal details noted before they were allowed to leave.
Later in the evening the police rounded up about a hundred Ajax fans who had been causing trouble throughout the evening and bussed them out of the city.
The Amsterdam authorities had been expecting trouble around the football match and had made sure there was a massive police presence in the city. Police were also given extra powers to tackle violent fans.

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