Football: Flares and Fireworks at Dutch Game
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that play was suspended for about 10 minutes in the game, on 23 August 2026, between the Dutch football clubs SC Cambuur and Feyenoord, when the latter’s supporters lit a large number of flares and threw fireworks injuring five supporters of SC Cambuur, who suffered burns, hearing damage and eye injuries.
Feyenoord apologised for “the unacceptable events" and SC Cambuur remarked that:
"It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever,"
Robert Eenhoorn, the General Manager of Feyenoord stated that:
"This problem obviously does not only affect Feyenoord and is unfortunately something we have been unable to put a stop to for decades."
And added that:
"We will therefore have to sit down again with all stakeholders, clubs, the KNVB, and the authorities to look for a solution together."
The KNVB (the Dutch Football Association) stated that it would revisit its protocols for incidents of disorder.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
