Feyenoord bans 47 fans over Cambuur fireworks barrage

Feyenoord has banned 47 supporters from De Kuip stadium over the fireworks barrage that injured seven Cambuur fans during last month’s match in Leeuwarden, the club said on Friday.

The 47 have also had their away-match cards blocked and have been reported to football association KNVB for a nationwide stadium ban.

The bans follow several weeks of investigation, including video footage analysis. They include the people who set off the fireworks and those who are accused of coordinating the attacks. Many reportedly held up banners or hid beneath them to avoid the cameras.

“It cannot be ruled out that criminal proceedings will follow in due course,” the club said. Any further action on a national ban would then be decided by the KNVB on the basis of information from the public prosecution department.

Seven home supporters suffered burns, eye injuries and hearing damage when fireworks were fired from the away section towards the pitch and the home stands in the 12th minute of the August 23 game, which Feyenoord went on to win 5-2 after a 20-minute stoppage.

Feyenoord general manager Robert Eenhoorn described the incident as “simply terrible”. The club did not take supporters to its subsequent away games at NEC Nijmegen and PEC Zwolle, and Cambuur barred visiting fans for its home match against FC Twente before lifting the restriction.