Dutch FA won’t back friendly football match to raise cash for Rome damages

Feyenoord fans clash with police at the Spanish Steps prior to the start of the Europa League soccer match between Roma and Feyenoord in RomeThe Dutch football association KNVB said on Monday it would not support calls for a benefit match between the Netherlands and Italy to raise money to pay for damage caused by rioting fans.

Rome’s mayor Ignazio Marino has reportedly suggested that a charity match could pay for repairs to several of the city’s monuments which were damaged after Feyenoord fans went on the rampage last week.

‘We are extremely sorry about what happened in Rome,’ spokesman Bas Ticheler is quoted as saying by the Telegraaf. ‘But it is nothing to do with us. It is down to an individual club’s supporters.’

There has, as yet, been no formal request for a fund-raising match and Ticheler said he doubted it would come. ‘I think the Italian football association will ask itself what the role of the Dutch association is.’

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