FC Twente accepts away-fan ban for Cambuur trip after legal advice

FC Twente have reluctantly accepted that 776 of their supporters will be barred from Sunday’s away match against SC Cambuur. After taking legal advice, the Enschede club concluded that further attempts to challenge the decision would not be worthwhile.

Leeuwarden’s local authorities ordered the away section to remain empty following a firework incident during Cambuur’s match against Feyenoord. Seven Cambuur supporters were injured by fireworks originating from the Feyenoord end. Twente and Eredivisie CV subsequently tried to persuade the authorities to reconsider.

Twente offered to assist Cambuur and organise a supporter initiative intended to demonstrate that the fixture could take place safely with travelling fans present. However, the proposal did not receive sufficient backing from Cambuur and the local authorities, while Leeuwarden’s mayor declined to reverse the ruling. A separate Twente request to postpone the match, allowing more time for additional safety measures, was also rejected by the competition board.

The club believes the outcome compromises sporting fairness. In a statement reported by NU.nl, Twente said: “We are really being disadvantaged here.” Cambuur’s supporters’ association has also criticised the measure because Twente fans were not involved in the original incident. Separately, Feyenoord have decided not to take supporters to their next two away fixtures, against NEC and PEC Zwolle, describing the firework incident as wholly unacceptable.