5 in hospital, 62 arrested after Amsterdam match

The mayor of Amsterdam announced stricter security measures in the city on Friday after five people were hospitalized and 62 people arrested following clashes that broke out the night after a football match in Amsterdam.

“Several messages about last night’s events in Amsterdam are circulating on social media,” the city police said in a message on X.

“Police have launched a major investigation into several violent incidents,” the report said, adding that “police are aware of reports of a possible hostage situation and missing persons, but currently have no confirmation that this has actually occurred. This aspect is also being investigated.”

Police said fans had left the Johan Cruyff Arena without incident after the Europa League match, which Ajax won 5-0 against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but clashes broke out in the city center overnight.

This despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the football stadium by Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, who feared that clashes would break out between demonstrators and supporters of the Israeli football club.

Halsema later said she was “ashamed” of what happened in the city and announced a temporary ban on protests.

Israeli and Dutch leaders have condemned the violence. Israel initially ordered that two planes be sent to the Dutch capital to take football fans home, but the prime minister’s office later said it would work to “provide civil aviation solutions for the return of our citizens.”

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that “the harsh images of the attack on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” and that Netanyahu “views the horrific incident with the utmost seriousness.” and swift action” against those involved.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “shocked by the anti-Semitic attacks on Israeli civilians”, which he called “completely unacceptable”.

Schoof assured Netanyahu by phone that “the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted,” he said in a statement on social media platform X. (Agencies)