An Eredivisie match between SC Cambuur and Feyenoord was temporarily halted on Sunday after fireworks thrown from the away end injured seven home supporters.
Newly-promoted SC Cambuur hosted Feyenoord in an Eredivisie game, but incidents in the stands marred the occasion.
The match had to be suspended temporarily in the first half after fireworks and pyrotechnics from the away section created chaos in the stands.
SC Cambuur later confirmed that seven supporters were injured, suffering burns, acoustic trauma and eye injuries.
Referee Danny Makkelie was forced to lead both teams off the pitch during the chaos at the Kooi Stadion, sparking calls for a review of pyrotechnic safety protocols.
Feyenoord Fireworks Force 10-Minute Eredivisie Match Stoppage
Only 12 minutes had been played in the matchday three encounter between SC Cambuur and Feyenoord, when the game was brought to an abrupt halt.
Feyenoord fans had ignited a massive volley of pyrotechnics in the South Stand, with several fireworks reportedly landing in or near the adjacent sections housing Cambuur supporters.
One explosive device landed on the pitch, mere meters from where Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst stood.
Referee Makkelie immediately signalled for the game to be stopped and shepherded the players to their dressing rooms, leaving the match paused for approximately 10 minutes before it was deemed safe to continue playing.
Seven Cambuur Fans Injured as Clubs and Mayor Condemn Fireworks Incident
Cambuur released a statement, stating that seven fans had suffered burns, acoustic trauma, and eye injuries from the fireworks that were launched into their section.
The leadership of the club hit out at the event, calling it unacceptable and unfit behaviour for a football stadium.
"It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever," their statement said.
Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, an assistant to Arne Slot at Liverpool last season, apologised to Cambuur on behalf of his club immediately after the game.
The club's general manager, Robert Eenhoorn, also condemned the behaviour, stating that he could not properly be pleased with their 5-2 win due to feelings of frustration over what unfolded at the stadium.
He described it as a long-standing problem of Dutch football, one which they have failed to outlaw despite multiple attempts.
"This problem obviously does not only affect Feyenoord and is unfortunately something we have been unable to put a stop to for decades", he said.
Feyenoord have revealed that they will request for footage of the incidents to catch those responsible, and Cambuur have also vowed to ensure that punishment is meted out to the culprits.
Leeuwarden mayor Foort van Oosten also spoke up about the incident, promising that an investigation will be carried out.
KNVB to Review Match Protocols After Serious Fireworks Incident
The governing body of Dutch football, KNVB, is now under pressure to evaluate match abandonment protocols after the incident at the Kooi Stadion.
The match resumed after a temporary stoppage despite seven supporters requiring medical treatment.
According to the existing match regulations referenced after the incident, the threshold for permanently abandoning a match does not clearly extend to injuries suffered by spectators in the stands.
After the incident, KNVB head of professional football Jan Bluyssen admitted that allowing the game to go on while seven fans needed urgent medical attention was far from ideal.
He confirmed that the KNVB will review whether its match disruption and abandonment protocols need to be changed following the incident.
