The lynching of an effigy of Feyenoord goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer by an Ajax fan in the Amsterdam Arena last Sunday prompted condemnation from the Dutch football association (KNVB), and the filing of a police complaint by Vermeer himself.

Now, the incident is back in the spotlight after a Premier League Darts match in Newcastle, Britain on Thursday evening. Three football fans were seen in the crowd holding posters with the text ‘Kenneth NSB’ and ‘Kenneth Vermeer Hangen´. The NSB is short for the Dutch national socialist party.

The fans could clearly be seen in the broadcast on Dutch channel RTL7, and the network has since distanced itself from the insulting texts.

‘It’s a cowardly action by seemingly football supporters,’ an RTL spokeswoman told the Telegraaf. ‘It’s a shame for the sport in general that this is happening.’

Darts fans @OfficialPDC in Newcastle last night held up racist and threatening signs about Dutchman Kenneth Vermeer! pic.twitter.com/Ay7wia6Gvy

— Tipster from Holland (@FootballTipsNL) February 12, 2016

Photos of the fans holding the racist placards were seen on social media during darts legend Phil Taylor’s entrance.

Dave Allen, spokesman for the Professional Darts Corporation, told DutchNews.nl:

‘We were not aware of this situation until Friday morning. The signs have no meaning in English and had they been brought to our attention on the night we would have dealt with them, but this did not happen.

‘Our security staff are extremely vigilant regarding offensive signs but as this phrase is not in use in English they were not aware of its meaning.

‘We apologise for any offence caused and if we are able to identify the perpetrators they will face bans from PDC events.’

Vermeer is planning to file a formal police complaint about the latest incident, Feyenoord confirmed to news agency ANP on Friday afternoon. Vermeer was signed by Feyenoord from Ajax in the summer of 2014, having begun his career as a teenager with the Amsterdam club.