Go Ahead chief calls for automatic 3-0 loss after abandoned matches

Go Ahead Eagles general director Jan Willem van Dop has proposed an automatic 3-0 defeat for a club when the conduct of its supporters causes a match to be abandoned. His comments followed the disruption of Saturday’s Eredivisie fixture away to FC Utrecht.

Referee Martin van de Kerkhof first suspended the game after fireworks were thrown. He later abandoned it with Go Ahead leading 3-1 after cups were thrown onto the pitch in large numbers. The remaining 25 minutes were scheduled to be played behind closed doors from 14:00 on Tuesday.

Van Dop said a small group had been able to affect the sporting contest, while stressing that he also sympathised with Utrecht because the club was suffering as a result of those individuals. Speaking on FC Afkicken’s De Bestuurskamer podcast, he told FCUpdate that, in such circumstances, he would “propose an automatic 3-0”. He argued that a firm rule was needed when a permanent stoppage could benefit the offending side.

The Go Ahead executive also suggested clubs could consider bringing back dedicated stewarding personnel positioned among supporters, rather than relying on social control in the stands. Go Ahead must now travel to Utrecht again to complete the game, despite also having a home fixture against FC Groningen at 18:45 on Saturday. Van Dop said the additional journey illustrated how the disruption also imposed a burden on the visiting club.