De Graafschap supporters block team bus before Vitesse Arnhem match, Digi Mart USA News (Doetinchem, Netherlands): Supporters of De Graafschap, a second-division Dutch club, took direct action after being barred from traveling to Arnhem for a match against Vitesse. The protest comes as French fans have long complained about restrictions on their freedom to travel, often tied to contested administrative orders.
On Sunday morning in Doetinchem, nearly 150 supporters blocked the team bus as it was preparing to leave for the match. The stadium gates were also locked with padlocks, according to Dutch media reports, which also say some players went to speak with the supporters.
The Dutch football federation issued a statement, cited by the BBC, calling the situation unacceptable. “It is unacceptable that the match Vitesse – De Graafschap could not take place under these conditions,” the federation said.
“That supporters make football impossible is totally intolerable. They harm their club, their team, the sport and the thousands of supporters who come for football.”
Vitesse Arnhem president Willem van der Linden wrote on the club’s website that the afternoon, which was expected to be a fine derby between two regional clubs in a sold-out GelreDome, had turned into a major disappointment. The match could not go ahead because of the situation involving the De Graafschap team bus.
The local club had itself decided to ban visiting supporters “on the basis of police information and after extensive consultations with all relevant security partners.” Van der Linden said that if the match is rescheduled, it will be played under the “same conditions, that is, without visiting supporters.” The bus is not expected to leave anytime soon.
