Players looked worried as smoke billowed from a blaze at the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Arena
A fire blazed at an Ajax game © Peter Lous / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Worried players watched on as a huge fire broke out ahead of Dutch football giants Ajax’s Eredivisie clash with fierce rivals Feyenoord at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Sunday.
Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana could only look on as smoke billowed and flames raged during the troubling incident in the home end behind his goal ahead of the game known as the Klassieker in the Netherlands.
Footage showed referee Clay Ruperti appearing to head to the side of the pitch and speak to an official about the fire.
No details of any damage or injuries have been released about the second high-profile pyrotechnic incident in a football match on Sunday.
There were worrying scenes in the Johan Cruyff Arena during Ajax and Feyenoord's match after a fire broke out in a section of the stand behind one of the goals. pic.twitter.com/HwnyM8NQQ0
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 21, 2022
A grenade appeared to explode on the pitch ahead of another derby, when Newell’s Old Boys visited Rosario Central in the Primera Division.
The Klassieker has become notorious for violent incidents and disorder since the 1970s.
One fan died in the ‘Battle of Beverwijk’ in 1997 – a clash between supporters of the clubs on a motorway.
© Pieter van der Woude / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Away supporters and groups of home fans have also been banned from attending the match during some seasons.
Rotterdam side Feyenoord arrived in Amsterdam looking to keep their slim title hopes alive and took the lead twice against the league leaders in the game.
Ajax had been knocked out of the Champions League at the arena by Benfica on Tuesday and spent almost two-thirds of the match trailing.
© ANP MAURICE VAN STEEN via Getty Images
Serbia attacker Dusan Tadic equalized with a superb free-kick 12 minutes from time, then Brazil winger Antony scored the winner with four minutes remaining to seal an epic 3-2 victory for Ajax.
Antony was sent off at the death when he received a second yellow card for removing his shirt.
Second-placed PSV’s 5-0 win at home to Fortuna Sittard meant reigning champions Ajax remained two points clear at the top with seven league games remaining. Feyenoord are 11 points behind them in third.
