De Graafschap supporters blocked their own team's bus on Sunday, forcing the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to call off the Eerste Divisie derby against Vitesse Arnhem.

The match was scheduled for 12:15 at GelreDome, but the visitors never left Doetinchem. The protest followed a decision by Arnhem authorities to ban De Graafschap supporters from attending the fixture.

The restrictions followed previous disturbances and a disagreement over security arrangements, but the team's journey was ultimately stopped by its own supporters.

BBC Sport reports that the KNVB condemned the incident and referred the case to its disciplinary bodies, leaving De Graafschap facing possible sanctions while the fixture awaits a new date.

Why De Graafschap fans were banned from the Vitesse derby

Vitesse and De Graafschap are separated by less than 20 miles, but their regional derby has a history of security problems. Their previous meeting in December 2025 was marred by disturbances, prompting authorities to introduce stricter security measures for the next fixture.

De Graafschap were initially offered an away allocation of 500 tickets, reduced from the usual 800. Supporters were also required to have banners and other materials inspected before entering the stadium.

Vitesse said information from the police suggested that some De Graafschap supporters were unwilling to comply with the agreed conditions. Arnhem authorities subsequently imposed a complete ban on away supporters on Saturday evening.

De Graafschap disputed Vitesse's account, arguing that the disagreement centred on the conditions for bringing group banners and other supporter materials into the stadium, rather than an unwillingness to comply with security arrangements. The club said it had proposed alternatives but failed to reach an agreement with the authorities.

De Graafschap expressed disappointment with the decision and urged its supporters to respect the ban and not travel to Arnhem.

How De Graafschap fans blocked the team bus

Despite the club's appeal, supporters gathered outside Stadion De Vijverberg on Sunday morning and blocked the team bus from leaving. At 11:30 local time, a De Graafschap spokesperson confirmed to Dutch broadcaster NOS that the team bus was still in Doetinchem and had been unable to depart.

With kick-off approaching, the club remained in contact with the authorities, but the situation did not improve. The KNVB could allow a delay of up to 30 minutes, but it became clear that the team would not reach GelreDome within that window.

The match was called off, leaving thousands of supporters at GelreDome without the derby they had travelled to watch.

Could De Graafschap face sanctions after the postponement?

The KNVB has referred the incident to its disciplinary bodies, which will investigate the circumstances and determine whether De Graafschap should face sanctions.

KNVB competition manager Jan Bluyssen condemned the supporters' actions, telling NOS: "We have experienced some strange things in the past, but this is madness."

The rearranged fixture is expected to take place on a weekday, with the KNVB hoping to schedule it within the current competition period. The association has indicated that the same conditions will apply:

Vitesse supporters will be allowed into GelreDome, while De Graafschap fans will remain excluded. No specific date has been confirmed.

The situation leaves De Graafschap supporters in an awkward position. Their protest was prompted by the decision to exclude them from the derby, but blocking the team bus has now prevented the match from taking place and left their club facing possible disciplinary consequences.

De Graafschap now awaits the KNVB's disciplinary decision, while its supporters face the possibility of missing the rearranged derby too.