Play was suspended in a Dutch football association (KNVB) cup match after a fan ran onto the pitch and attacked AZ Almaar goalkeeper Esteban with a flying-kick. The goalie, who saw the supporter at the last minute, reacted by kicking him twice.
Esteban Alvarado was shown a red card by referee Bas Nijhuis. AZ trainer Gertjan Verbeek was furious and walked off the field taking his team with him. As a result, the game was abandoned five minutes before half time with Ajax 1-0 in the lead.
Reactions were streaming in on the website of the Netherlands' most popular newspaper De Telegraaf just minutes after the bizarre incident. Like this one by L. Veenstra from the city of Nijmegen:
"Shameful!!! Am a fanatic ajax supporter. Shameful that 1 supporter ruins it for the rest! Completely understandable that Verbeek called his team off, the rules might stipulate so, but how can you give him a red card for this! Goalkeeper was just defending himself."
The 19-year-old supporter has been arrested and is reported to have been under the influence of alcohol.
Riots broke out after the game when Ajax fans clashed with police outside the stadium.
(nc)
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