The disrupted match between the teams ‘Otten Lives Matter’ and ‘Maijard’ was part of a tournament and took place on Sunday November 10 at sports park Drieburg. According to an incident report by the Student Football League – an association founded by mostly VU students – tensions were high from the start. One player from the Maijard team reportedly harshly tackled an opposing player and continued the aggression while the other player was on the ground.
Spectating father
The tackled player alongside two of his brothers are said to have reciprocated, leading to a conflict. They were seen kicking other players, using racist insults and phrases, and using drink cans as weapons, throwing them at others’, the report states. It continues describing the father of the brothers getting involved, choking a player and performing ‘other forms of aggression’ and also making insulting and racist remarks.
The leadership of the match tried to mediate the conflict and the police was eventually called. By the time the police came, the brothers and father were already gone. According to SFL board member Aaron Serpilin, the board has gone to the nearest police station to explain what happened. It will be up to the involved players to pursue legal action if they wish to.
Serpilin explains that this is the first time violence has erupted at the fast-growing football association. The board did not expect that something like this could occur and had to adapt to the situation very rapidly.
Suspensions and bans
The board of the Student Football League has met with all parties involved in order to take action. They make a distinction between what they consider to have been aggressive behavior ‘amidst the intensity and heat of the match’ and the following retaliations that were ‘derailed and excessive’.
The involved player from Maijard is suspended for three matches and could be banned if similar incidents occur. Meanwhile, the three brothers from Otten Lives Matter are permanently banned from the matches. They and their father are also banned from the premises of the association.
The match between Maijard and Otten Lives Matter was cancelled mid-game and will not be done over, as the upcoming knockout stages are difficult to reschedule. The final of the tournament will be held on December 15.