100 arrests in Rotterdam as Feyenoord fail to take the title

Riot police dealt with dozens of incidents. Photo: Leanderfotografie via HH

Riot police arrested over 100 Feyenoord football fans in the centre of Rotterdam on Sunday as supporters went on the rampage following the club’s failure to win the Eredivisie title.

Feyenoord lost 3-0 to fellow Rotterdam club Excelsior, cutting their lead over Ajax at the top of the table to one point, with just one match to play.

Angry supporters had gathered in the centre of the city to celebrate what they hoped would be Feyenoord’s first league title since 1999. As the mood turned to anger, some fans threw bottles, cans and fireworks at police, who brought in horses and water cannon to restore order.

Parts of the city centre were sealed off and a number of people were bitten by police dogs, broadcaster NOS said.

Police say they aim to make further arrests in the coming days by studying video footage of the trouble, which was concentrated on the Schouwburgplein, Hofplein and by the Stadhuisplein.

There was little trouble at the stadium itself, where thousands of subdued Feyenoord fans had begun leaving the match early, once they realised their team would not take the title this week.

Feyenoord will win their 14th Dutch league crown if they beat mid-table Heracles at home next weekend. But Ajax could finish top if they win away to Willem II and Feyenoord fail to seize their advantage for the second time.

At the bottom of the league, Go Ahead Eagles will be relegated to the Jupiler division, while Roda JC, NEC and Rotterdam’s third professional side Sparta will have to wait until the final day’s play to find out which one of them will escape the relegation play-offs.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation