Amsterdam city council is helping finance a clubhouse for hardcore Ajax football supporters, the Parool reported at the weekend.

The council agreed to help pay for the new club house under the Arena stadium largely through an interest free loan of €2m. This also involves the loss of 65 parking places, costing €495,000. The council is also paying €185,000 towards the running costs, the Parool states.

The financial construction was approved by the full council in 2010, but could be construed as illegal state support, VU professor Elies Steyger told the Parool. ‘Why is Ajax not funding the new club house itself and why is the council paying towards the running costs?’ Steyger said.

The council argues the money is an investment in public safety and that potential troublemakers are being concentrated in one area.

Ajax pays half the annual €130,000 rent of the current ‘supporters’ home’ which is used by hardcore fans and is rarely visited by ordinary supporters, the paper says.

Sources told the paper Martin van de P, who has multiple convictions for murder, has a central role in running the club house.