Amsterdam police have made more than sixty arrests following what has been called “antisemitic attacks” following Thursdays Europa League match between Amsterdam Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan Cruyff Arena. With scenes escalating quickly until being described as organized attacks by antisemitic hit-and-run squads” by a witness to the attacks. Five people have been hospitalised as a result of the racially incited violence.
The attacks broke out in mass across the city starting close to the Johan Cruyff Arena and the surrounding metro stations, violence was soon reported at multiple tram stops and cannels throughout Amsterdam in the late night of the 7th and in the early hours of the morning on the 8th of November.
Individuals or organized groups such as football ultras are so far not known to be behind any of the violence within the city. Reports so far suggest that some assailants appeared to be organized with “men on scooters (mopeds) crisscrossed the city looking for Israeli football fans. It was a hit and run.” Although Amsterdam’s police chief Peter Holla stated that there had been “incidents on both sides” beginning on Wednesday night after Maccabi fans ripped down a Palestine flag from the fronting of a building within the city centre while shouting “fuck you Palestine”. This has understandably left the city shocked and reeling from scenes of such unmitigated savagery even leading the Dutch King t go as far as to compare it to the Nazi regime saying “We failed Jews during the football attacks as we did under Nazis”.
The wider political situation that we have seen unfolding in the Middle-East is the most prominent reason for these violent attacks in Amsterdam. With conflicts between Israel and Hamas escalating and garnering international interest, support and intervention in some cases. The Netherlands as a whole and Amsterdam as a focal point is proud of their stance on acceptance, tolerance and immigration leading it to become something of a melting pot for different cultures. This mix of cultural and racial backgrounds, likely snowballed by the general pro-Jewish stance taken by Amsterdam being an issue to some Islamic residents of the city. Although with this being said one of the inciting incidents occurred on Wednesday with the destruction
of a Palestine flag being unattached to the state’s stance on religion. Another point worth noting is that football and violence are two entities that have historical links and Dutch football in particular with racism towards immigrants. One thing that does remain is the fact that this level of violence is not something to be tolerated and it is likely that harsh reparations will be handed to those found guilty.
Looking forward Maccabi Tel Aviv have to think about the safety of travelling fans, even when going to areas not thought of as being hostile. The next European fixture for Maccabi was due to be against Besiktas on Thursday the 28th of November taking place in Istanbul. Following the events off last week UEFA have made the decision to move the match to Hungary where it will take place behind closed doors. This will undoubtable have effects on the football club after competing in European competition for the first time.
The Israeli government has stood by their football fans in wanting to ensure the safe travel of all Maccabi supporters during this time, being very public with their attitude toward recent events. the next few weeks will go on to prove the knock on effects that violent attacks such as these can have. One thing that is guaranteed is that this is a poor look for Amsterdam, the Europa League and football culture on the whole, making many consider is urgent action needs to be taken. Will regulating bodies within the football infrastructure intervene and potentially sanction the clubs associated with these groups of “so called” fans. If so how will that effect the already unsure financial footing of some of Europe’s football clubs? Perhaps its time we could see a shake up to footballs political landscapes.