December 2 – Dutch club Ajax’s match against Groningen at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Sunday lasted only a few minutes before it resembled the 4th of July over Los Angeles.
Flares and fireworks started exploding behind one of the goals, leading the referee to pull the players off the pitch. When the restart brought a carbon copy display, the game was abandoned. Ajax later confirmed the match would resume behind closed doors on Tuesday.
In their statement afterward, Ajax called the scenes “scandalous” and apologised to anyone put at risk while making it clear that the club wants nothing to do with this kind of behaviour.
The usual security methods had been employed, which included dogs and bag checks, but the club admitted those measures weren’t enough, with officials saying they will review footage to identify the people responsible.
In South America, especially during Copa Libertadores nights, pyrotechnics are almost expected, and matches get underway with the air thick with smoke.
Clubs like Galatasaray or Fenerbahce in Turkey have a similar reputation and it’s tolerated in a way you rarely see elsewhere on the continent.
In the Netherlands and in most of Europe, stadium safety rules are strict and flares and treated as dangerous.
This latest incident highlights the cultural split. In some parts of the football world, flares are a welcome addition of colour and identity, adding to the atmosphere. In others, they’re a safety threat that shuts everything down.
It was also the third time since May 2023 that a match involving Ajax has been abandoned because of fireworks.