The clubs of the Eredivisie and First Division (Keuken Kampioen Divisie) unanimously agree that serious misconduct must be met with tougher sanctions. The current penalties are not sufficiently deterrent. Criminal prosecution appears to work well abroad.
Therefore, we call on the government, the police and the Public Prosecution Service to also pursue criminal prosecution of offenders in the Netherlands.
Addressing serious misconduct in a structural way requires a coordinated chain approach. These incidents do not stand on their own, but reflect broader societal developments and behaviours that are visible outside stadiums as well. Only through joint efforts by the clubs, Eredivisie CV, Coöperatie Eerste Divisie, KNVB, police, judiciary and government can we ensure our stadiums remain safe.
Professional football says: enough is enough. We urge politicians to support us and take action. Together, we can make football even more beautiful.
Jan de Jong (CEO Eredivisie)
Marc Boele (CEO First Division)
Eredivisie, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, ADO Den Haag, Ajax, Almere City FC, AZ, De Graafschap, Excelsior Rotterdam, FC Den Bosch, FC Dordrecht, FC Eindhoven, FC Emmen, FC Groningen, FC Twente, FC Utrecht, FC Volendam, Feyenoord, Fortuna Sittard, Go Ahead Eagles, Helmond Sport, HERA United, Heracles Almelo, MVV, NAC Breda, N.E.C. Nijmegen, PEC Zwolle, PSV, RKC Waalwijk, Sparta Rotterdam, Roda JC, SC Cambuur, sc Heerenveen, Telstar, TOP Oss, Vitesse, VVV-Venlo and Willem II.
