Five injured by fireworks in Leeuwarden as Feyenoord beats Cambuur 2-5 after match stoppage

Fireworks disrupt Eredivisie fixture

An Eredivisie match between SC Cambuur and Feyenoord at the Kooi Stadion in Leeuwarden was suspended for half an hour on Sunday after visiting supporters launched pyrotechnics. In the twelfth minute of play, fans in the Feyenoord away section concealed themselves beneath a large banner before discharging a volley of fireworks and flares. Several projectiles landed directly on the pitch, while others struck an adjacent family stand holding Cambuur supporters.

Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst narrowly avoided serious injury when a rocket exploded directly above his head. Ernst sprinted off the pitch toward the dressing rooms as match referee Danny Makkelie halted play. Five Cambuur supporters in the neighbouring tribune sustained burns, hearing damage, and eye injuries from the incoming pyrotechnics. On-site medical personnel treated the injured individuals at the venue, while their identities remained unconfirmed on Sunday evening.

Protocol and safety deliberations

Makkelie led both squads off the field to evaluate player safety and confer with security authorities. Under Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) regulations, a referee must permanently abandon a match only if players, coaches, or match officials are struck by objects or fireworks. After confirming that no squad members had been hit, Makkelie initiated a crisis consultation with Leeuwarden's local governing triangle, which includes the mayor, the chief public prosecutor, and the regional police chief.

We had to check whether a player was hit. But that is not the case. I did see that supporters were hit and I believe they are also being treated. I hope they are doing well. But according to the protocol, a match is not abandoned for that. However bad it is that they were hit. But this is what was agreed.

Police commanders decided against entering the visiting section to detain individuals during the stoppage. Officers cited heavy smoke across the stands and noted that the culprits wore balaclavas to mask their faces. Makkelie defended the joint decision to resume play rather than evacuate the venue, explaining that a sudden evacuation would create severe public order complications for stadium security.

Club responses and match outcome

Following the 30-minute stoppage and clearance from municipal authorities, the match restarted and concluded in a 2-5 victory for Feyenoord.

SC Cambuur condemned the away supporters in an official statement, describing the incident as completely unacceptable. The Leeuwarden club promised to collaborate fully with law enforcement to identify and punish the perpetrators.

Feyenoord general director Robert Eenhoorn expressed strong disapproval during an interview with ESPN, stating that he did not understand why fans brought and ignited fireworks. Eenhoorn stated that Feyenoord will take all possible measures to assist investigators in identifying the offenders in order to impose stadium bans.