Coronavirus In The Netherlands: Football Matches and Training

Summary

In the Netherlands, football matches are being played with limited audiences, and strict measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a ban on cheering and singing.

Abstract

The Dutch football scene is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic with matches being held in front of significantly reduced audiences. The government has mandated silence from spectators to minimize the risk of virus transmission. Despite initial allowances for supporters to attend training sessions, the enthusiasm of fans through clapping and cheering has been deemed against the rules. Prime Minister Mark Rutte has emphasized the importance of adhering to these measures, warning that non-compliance could lead to stricter regulations or a complete ban on spectators. The Dutch football union (KNVB) has developed a Delta Plan with multiple protocols to ensure safety while allowing for flexibility in attendance based on the local infection rates. Clubs like Feyenoord have been permitted to host a limited number of fans, while others, such as Ajax, have not, due to varying local government decisions. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for adjustments as the pandemic evolves.

Opinions

Prime Minister Mark Rutte has expressed that the current measures, including the silence of spectators, are crucial to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Dutch football union (KNVB) supports the government's measures and is actively collaborating with various levels of government to ensure safe stadium attendance.
There is an understanding that failure to comply with the measures could result in a return to stricter lockdowns or a ban on audiences at football matches.
The KNVB has a proactive approach, with a Delta Plan in place to either scale up or down the number of spectators as the situation demands.
Local governments have the authority to make decisions regarding stadium attendance, leading to different approaches across the country, such

Football teams in The Netherlands will play their matches with much fewer audiences. The audience is not allowed to clap, scream, or otherwise, to protect spreading the Coronavirus.

In June, the decision of the Dutch cabinet was to allow supporters on the tribune, in paid- and amateur football games. So, this week Feyenoord was training again, and supporters were watching them on the tribune. But these supporters were supporting them with clapping and screaming. This was not allowed by the government.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in the press conference yesterday that it was against the rules. They had to be silent because of not spreading the virus.

“The supporters sang passionately and that is against the rules.”, said Rutte. “I can imagine that at some point the mayor of Rotterdam decides to drastically limit the number of fans or to ban the presence of supporters altogether.”, added Rutte.

Chants and singing are taboo due to the risk of the virus spreading. “If that happens, it will close again.”, said Rutte in June.

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The Prime Minister warned that with a further increase in the number of coronavirus infections, the measures could also be scaled up to a national level.

The football union agrees with the Prime Minister: “We are therefore already working together with local, regional and national governments and authorities, so that good and well-considered decisions are made about this and people can safely visit a stadium”, the union responds to the statements of Prime Minister Rutte.

Prime Minister also told that the local government can make drastic decisions if supporters don’t keep up the measurements. “I can imagine that at some point the mayor of Rotterdam decides to drastically limit the number of fans or to ban the presence of supporters altogether.”, Rutte added.

The Dutch football union, KNVB, came up with a Delta Plan and more than one protocol for keeping the distance, the audience, and all the staff: “The KNVB has drawn up a Delta Plan with several protocols to be able to build up carefully and step by step towards full stadiums or to scale down temporarily and possibly locally if necessary. With this, we have created the flexibility that is needed in ‘the new normal’. This does not jeopardize the continuity of the competitions and we can provide custom solutions where necessary.”, a spokesman said.

“Thanks to all the thorough preparations and measures that clubs take, the risk of contamination within football remains minimal. It is clear that stadium visitors must also keep an eye on the basic rules that apply to prevent the spread of the virus.”, Rutte added.

Ajax is has planned to play against RKC Waalwijk next Saturday. This is without an audience. In mid-June, they applied for a permit from the municipality of Amsterdam — where the club comes from — to play with the public. However, their application was denied.

Feyenoord does play with an audience of 7000 people, and Ajax plays without an audience.

Ajax is in a discussion about the agreements to play with the audience, but the discussion is still going on. Therefore, the Safety Region has chosen the safe option: “The number of infections is rising again in our region. The security region has therefore opted for the safe option. So build up in phases, start small first, learn from practice, and possibly allow more supporters in the next match. If the security region and Ajax reach an agreement. the permit can be issued on those conditions.”, the spokesman added.

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