AMSTERDAM (Bernama-dpa) – Following a Europa League football match between Dutch top-tier team Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv, violent clashes reportedly occurred between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans on Thursday evening, the German news agency (dpa) reported.
Police said they detained 57 people but did not elaborate on their nationalities or whether they were football fans. Ajax won the match 5-0.
According to information from Amsterdam TV station AT5, demonstrators threw chairs at Maccabi fans. The police’s mobile units reportedly shielded the Israelis and escorted them to their hotels.
There were also clashes in the the afternoon between Israeli football fans and security forces in the city centre. According to police, about a dozen people were arrested for disturbing public order and illegal possession of fireworks.
Even before the match, there were reportedly isolated altercations near the stadium in the south-east of the city. Around 200 demonstrators attempted to reach the venue, according to the police.
The city administration had previously banned a demonstration directly in front of the
Johan Cruijff Arena and designated an alternative location nearby for the gathering. However, the police’s mobile units reportedly kept the demonstrators away from the stadium.
