Why was Ajax vs Feyenoord abandoned after Santi Giménez scored two goals in the Eredivisie game?
The Mexican striker netted twice in the first half as the Dutch champions raced into a 3-0 lead at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Mexico striker Santi Giménez had a disappointing midweek after being forced to sit out Feyenoord’s Champions League victory over Celtic on Tuesday and has followed it up with a mixed weekend as the Dutch champions took on domestic rivals Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Sunday.
Mexico forward Giménez runs riot against Ajax
The clash between the two teams is known as De Klassieker and is the main club rivalry in the Netherlands, as well as one of the fiercest in Europe. Giménez, who has become a big fan favourite in Rotterdam since moving to Feyenoord in the summer of 2022, endeared himself to his club’s supporters even further by scoring twice inside the first 18 minutes, in addition to setting up a third goal for teammate Igor Paixao.
Ajax fans trying to get the game stopped as they’re 3-0 down to Feyenoord today.
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) September 24, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Y3OU3EjayZ
Why was De Klassieker abandoned?
Ajax fans, however, were considerably less impressed, trying - and ultimately succeeding - to have the match abandoned such was their unhappiness at their team’s performance against their bitter rivals. The game was temporarily paused in the first half as supporters threw missiles, including flares and fireworks, onto the field, making it impossible for play to continue.
The fixture did briefly resume once the field of play was cleared but was eventually abandoned after 55 minutes when the flare-throwing started up again, further endangering players and other supporters alike.
Trouble spills out of Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam
After supporters were ejected from the Johan Cruyff Arena, some Ajax fans were seen attempting to break back in by force and ended up vandalising their own team’s stadium, while clips of riot police charging at supporters on horses outside the ground also began circulating on social media.
Ajax were 3-0 down at home to Feyenoord and started vandalising their own stadium in anger. The match was then abandoned… 😡
— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) September 24, 2023
The trouble continued outside the stadium as riot police charge at fans on horses! Wow! 😨 pic.twitter.com/uJW9kf05nw
There has been no news yet as to whether the match will be replayed from the moment at which it stopped or whether Feyenoord could simply be awarded the points. Ajax will surely face a big sanction for failing to control their fans, but could Giménez also be punished by having his goals taken away from him?