On Sunday, the Dutch Eredivisie league match between Ajax Amsterdam and already-relegated Groningen was stopped and then canceled with only nine minutes played.
This was due to the throwing of fireworks onto the pitch twice during the game. In the sixth minute of the game, smoke bombs were thrown onto the field, followed by a supporter running onto the pitch with a banner calling for the removal of the Groningen board.
The referee then took both teams off the field. After the teams returned, smoke bombs were thrown again, resulting in the match being cancelled in accordance with new Dutch football guidelines implemented last month.
These guidelines stipulate that all matches should be stopped immediately if a player or match official is hit by an object from the crowd.
Additionally, if an object is thrown from the terraces but misses, play will be temporarily stopped with the players sent to the dressing rooms. If the same thing happens again, the match will be immediately stopped.
Unfortunately, these guidelines have not been effective in curbing a growing problem for the Dutch game.
In fact, three top-flight matches on Friday and Saturday were temporarily halted due to the throwing of objects onto the field.
This follows crowd violence during the Dutch Cup semifinal between Feyenoord and Ajax Amsterdam in early April, when a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd hit Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen, causing a lengthy delay to the match.