The dispute over who runs Amsterdam football club Ajax took a new twist on Tuesday as four members of the supervisory board refused to stand down, despite losing the confidence of the members’ council.

Steven ten Have, Marjan Olfers, Paul Römer and Edgar Davids said in a written statement that they would not honour the council’s request pending a formal request with additional information.
‘In the meantime, the board will continue its work on behalf of Ajax and the stakeholders,’ the statement said, Nos television reported.
Confidence
On Monday night the 24-strong members’ council said it no longer had confidence in the supervisory board and called on all five members to resign.
The showdown followed a decision by four of the five board members earlier this month to appoint Louis van Gaal as general director of the club, without consulting fifth board member Johan Cruijff. Cruijff and Van Gaal do not get along.
Cruijff has said he will resign, if the other board members do the same.
Legal action
Members’ council spokesman Keje Molenaar said Van Gaal’s position would become clearer in the next few days. Cruijff and 10 Ajax youth trainers have started legal action against the appointment because Cruijff was not involved.
Ajax, which is listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange, holds its AGM on December 12.
Cruijff, who played for Ajax for years, launched a high profile campaign to improve the club’s fortunes last year.