Amsterdam football club Ajax has asked the national football union KNVB to allow supporters to attend the cup match against Alkmaar club AZ on 19 January after all.

Ajax wants to allow only women and children to attend the tie. The KNVB has reacted positively to the idea and has asked Ajax to submit a more detailed plan.

An Ajax fan managed to get onto the Amsterdam ArenA pitch and attacked visiting team AZ goalie Esteban during the cup game on 21 December.

Having dodged the attack, Esteban went on to kick the man who lay on the ground and was shown the red card. AZ players left the pitch in protest and the game was abandoned.

The KNVB rescinded Esteban’s red card and ordered the match to be replayed in the ArenA on 19 January without spectators. The Ajax supporter who attacked Esteban has been sentenced to six months in prison, with a two-month suspended sentence. The 19-year-old man will also have to follow a course of treatment for alcohol problems. He was ordered to register with police whenever Ajax, AZ or the Dutch national side are playing.

(gsh/nc)
 
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