Dutch Groningen fans have been banned for the last two league matches

Groningen, which was relegated from the Dutch Football League, said today, Wednesday, that it will play its last two matches of the season without any of its fans present, due to repeated problems with its supporters.

Groningen’s home match against Nijmegen was stopped last April when a glass of beer was thrown at the assistant referee, and last week’s match against Ajax Amsterdam was abandoned nine minutes after it started because of fireworks being thrown on the pitch.

“After a discussion with Kun Scholling, the mayor of Groningen, the two parties came to the conclusion that under the current circumstances Groningen will play the last two league matches of this season behind closed doors,” Groningen said in a statement.

No fans will be allowed in Groningen’s home match against Sparta Rotterdam on May 28, and the club has also been banned from bringing fans to its match against Vitesse next Sunday.