Public safety concerns have led officials in Amsterdam to move a demonstration to protest about “mass immigration” from Dam square in the city centre to the Museumplein.

Mayor Femke Halsema announced the switch after consulting with police and justice ministry officials. The demonstration has been branded a “risk” event given it coincides with a World Cup qualifying football match between the Netherlands and Finland and the Dam is likely to be packed with supporters.

Several groups have also announced counter demonstrations.

Last month an anti-immigration demonstration in The Hague degenerated into a riot as the far right launched attacks on the police, parliament and political party offices.

There have also been several violent protests against refugee centres across the country in recent weeks.

Organiser Martijn Koops told the NRC two politicians will be speaking at the protest but declined to say who.

Koops has been promoting the event with films on social media, one of which urges people to vote for the far right Forum voor Democratie at the October 29 general election.

He told the paper that he hopes for a peaceful demonstration but also said he has no issue with the decision by several groups of hardcore football fans to attend. “They are people with an opinion, like we are,” he told the paper.

Football hooligans were said to be behind much of the trouble in The Hague.

The Museumplein and the route of the march have been declared security risk zones which means police have the right to stop and search anyone who enters the area.