Ajax wants to ‘do a Fener’ in Dutch game

ROTTERDAM

Some 40,000 women fans of Fener filled the stands in a remarkable game. Hürriyet photo

Inspired by Fenerbahçe, Ajax Amsterdam has asked the Dutch football association (KNVB) to allow women and children to attend the “behind closed doors” rematch of its cup game against AZ Alkmaar Jan. 19, Reuters reported.

The original match Dec. 21, 2011, was abandoned 37 minutes in, after an Ajax fan invaded the pitch to attack Alkmaar keeper Esteban, who was sent off for his retaliation. The red card was later rescinded.
“We are willing to consider their request, but we asked Ajax to create a plan as to how they will execute this and under what conditions,” the KNVB said in a statement yesterday.

The Dutch club’s demand comes months after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) turned a ban on playing behind closed doors into just not allowing men, opening the doors to women and children under the age of 12.

The Spor Toto Super League match between Fenerbahçe and Manisaspor Sept. 20, 2011, attracted 40,000 women and children to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, creating a memorable spectacle. Fenerbahçe has the second of its two-game ban of playing behind closed doors due to crowd violence at an exhibition game earlier in the year.