Chaos erupts in Ajax-Utrecht match as fans protest and throw objects

Ajax’s match against Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie was suspended twice in the final minutes as fans protested against the club’s poor form and threw objects onto the pitch. The game was tied at 3-3 when referee Dennis Higler halted the play for the first time in the 89th minute after a plastic cup was thrown from the stands. The match resumed shortly after, with eight minutes of added time announced by the fourth official.

Utrecht snatch a late winner amid more fan unrest

However, the drama was not over as Utrecht scored a late winner through Oscar Fraulo in the 93rd minute, sparking more anger from the Ajax supporters. Some fans tried to invade the pitch, while others threw more objects, including flares and bottles. Higler decided to stop the game for the second time and ordered the players to leave the field. The match was eventually completed after a 10-minute delay, with Utrecht holding on to their 4-3 victory.

Ajax’s horror start to the season puts Steijn under pressure

Ajax’s defeat to Utrecht was their sixth in seven league games, leaving them in 17th place in the table, just one point above the bottom. The Amsterdam giants have only won two of their 12 matches in all competitions this season, with manager Maurice Steijn facing increasing criticism from fans and media. Steijn, who took over from Erik ten Hag in July 2023, has failed to inspire his team, who have conceded 23 goals and scored only 14 in the league.

Utrecht climb out of the relegation zone with a thrilling win

Utrecht, on the other hand, celebrated their first win over Ajax since 2016, which lifted them out of the relegation zone and into 14th place. The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the first half through goals from Bart Ramselaar and Simon Gustafson, but Ajax fought back in the second half with goals from Antony, Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus. However, Utrecht equalized through Adam Maher before Fraulo’s dramatic winner.

The match was the third and fourth suspension for Ajax in a month

The match at the Stadion Galgenwaard was not the first time that Ajax’s game was suspended this season. On September 24, their match against Feyenoord was stopped for 10 minutes after fans threw fireworks and objects onto the pitch. On October 1, their match against PSV Eindhoven was also interrupted for five minutes after fans clashed with police outside the stadium. Ajax lost both games by 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.