Late football kick-offs 'not our culture'

Thursday 17 September 2009

Some Dutch football clubs and supporters organisations are unhappy at the way many Europa League matches are programmed to start at 21.05, the AD reports on Thursday.

Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven's away matches both start at the later time this evening. 'It cannot get any more insane,' Ger van Os, chairman of the PSV supporters' association told the paper. 'It is quite normal to start at 9pm in southern Europe but the way of life is different there.'

Stadium supporters are being increasingly disadvantaged in favour of television, he said. 'Fans have no idea what time matches start any more,' he said.

Both Ajax and FC Twente will play a home match with a late kick-off later in the tournament.

Twente chairman Joop Munsterman told the paper it is still too soon to complain. 'We would prefer an 8pm start. Then fans have had enough time to come home from work and get to the stadium. And it is not too late for children to watch either,' he said. 'But it is clear Uefa has opted for fixed times for television, and we need that income.'

© DutchNews.nl

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