Cup replay between Ajax and Alkmaar to be watched by children only
Baku, January 12 (AZERTAC). Only children will be allowed to attend the Dutch Cup replay between Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, after the original game was abandoned following a red card for AZ goalkeeper Esteban for kicking a pitch invader.
He was dismissed after he repeatedly attacked an Ajax fan who charged towards him, later identified as Wesley van der W, with AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek ordering the rest of his players to leave the field in protest.
The red card was later overturned by the Dutch FA (KNVB), who decreed a replay would be held behind closed doors.
Ajax asked KNVB to permit women and children to attend, but the ruling body insisted on following the national law regarding equal treatment of men and women, therefore only granting children entry.
One adult will be allowed in to look after every six children, to watch the game on January 19.
The pitch invader was given a four month jail sentence for his offence, with Ajax insisting he would be banned from attending their games for life.
KNVB said it ‘would be unreasonable’ to resume the match in the 37th minute because AZ would have to play with 10 men due to the Costa Rica goalkeeper`s red card.
At the time, referee Bas Nijhuis defended his decision to give the 22-year-old stopper a straight red card.
He said: ‘I understand that Esteban was defending himself, but he walked to him (the supporter) and kicked him multiple times. He could also have walked away.’
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