Tensions Erupt in Amsterdam After Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv Match

Good morning, The Football Newsletter readers,

Today’s issue dives into a troubling episode in Amsterdam that highlights the intersection of football, politics, and global tensions. Last Thursday, what began as a routine Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv ended in violence that has reverberated far beyond the pitch. The violent clashes, arrests, and diplomatic reactions have posed serious questions for football’s authorities as they brace for further tense fixtures in the weeks ahead.

What Happened in Amsterdam?

The 5-0 victory for Ajax should have marked a straightforward night of Europa League football. Instead, the evening spiraled into chaos after the match, with Israeli fans attacked in Amsterdam’s city centre. Local police reported that 62 arrests were made, with several Maccabi fans requiring medical attention after being subjected to what Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, called “antisemitic violence.” Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof and Israel’s president Isaac Herzog both condemned the attacks, with Herzog reporting that the Dutch king expressed his “deep horror” over the events.

In addition to violent assaults, there were reports of rioters using fireworks as weapons and “hit-and-run” attacks on Maccabi supporters as they returned to their hotels. With the anniversary of Kristallnacht, rising tensions around the Israel-Gaza conflict, and an influx of Turkish fans in the city for AZ Alkmaar’s game against Fenerbahce, authorities anticipated potential trouble. However, the scale and intensity of the violence went beyond what many had expected.