The KNVB has imposed a hefty penalty on Feyenoord following the lighting of fireworks by supporters in the semi-final of the KNVB Cup against FC Groningen. Not only is the current number two of the Netherlands obliged to keep the boxes X, R, S and T empty in the last competition match against Excelsior. A fine of 15,000 euros must also be paid.
Feyenoord and FC Groningen faced each other at the end of February in the battle for a place in the final of the cup tournament. The supporters of Feyenoord had presented a huge and very beautiful banner for the meeting with the Kitchen Champion divisionist. However, after the atmospheric event, a lot of fireworks were set off. The club is now being punished for this. Feyenoord reports that the prosecutor for professional football has taken into account the ‘size of the fireworks during the match against FC Groningen, the danger associated with it and the circumstance that there is recidivism in these areas’.
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The amount of the penalty was not only determined in response to the lighting of fireworks in the semi-final against FC Groningen. Feyenoord already had several entries on the KNVB’s so-called penalty card due to violations at ‘various’ home games in the past. In addition, the brand new cup winner – it defeated FC Groningen and was too strong for NEC in the final 1-0 – already had an unconditional punishment due to the lighting of fireworks during the cup match against FC Utrecht at the end of last year.
The KNVB has therefore decided not only to make Feyenoord pay a fine of 15,000 euros, but also to oblige part of the stadium to be kept empty in the last competition match of this season. That is a hard blow for the club and especially Arne Slot. The competition match with Excelsior on Sunday, May 19, is normally Slot’s last match in De Kuip as Feyenoord’s coach. The successful trainer is about to sign a contract with Liverpool.
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