Dutch Cup match abandoned after keeper kicks fan

December 22nd, 2011 - 11:10 pm ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

Amsterdam, Dec 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) There was controversy during the Dutch Cup match between Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar. A fan who invaded the pitch was attacked by Alkmaar’s goalkeeper Esteban and that earned him the red card.

Alkmaar coach Gert Jan Verbeek did the unthinkable when he ordered him players to walk off the pitch and stop playing the game. At the time that the center referee ended the match, the score was standing at 1-0 in favor of Ajax.

Club officials argue that the Costa Rican goalie defended himself after he was kicked by the fan. The police later arrested the man who has been identified as a 19-year-old.

Ajax coach Frank de Boer shared the view of his opposing team when he said that “I saw that Esteban was attacked and that he defended himself,” said Ajax coach Frank de Boer. Don’t know how I would have reacted but I can understand Esteban with his South American temper. I understand the decision of Alkmaar because of all the emotion at that moment.”

Alkmaar have indicated that they are ready to receive any punishment from the disciplinary committee of the Dutch FA because of the walkout. They argue that they walked off the pitch because they placed the safety of their players above every other interest.

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