Around The World: Netherlands - Riot forces Dutch rethink
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE CITY of Rotterdam was yesterday coming to terms with the latest outbreak of serious football hooliganism in the Netherlands. Shots were fired as fans celebrating Feyenoord's success in sealing the Dutch title clashed with police on Sunday night.
Four people were injured when police opened fire on a band of hooligans on the fringes of a huge street party attended by about 200,000 people in Rotterdam city centre. Thugs threw bottles, stones and other projectiles. In the ensuing riots, shop and office windows were smashed and there was large-scale looting. Altogether 16 people were injured, including four police officers, police sources said.
Around 300 riot police were called in to try to control a group of about 150 troublemakers. After firing warning pistol shots into the air, cornered local police aimed directly at the crowd. Around 80 people were arrested.
The Dutch interior minister, Bram Peper, called for the urgent adoption of a draft law currently being studied by parliament which would allow police to detain suspected hooligans prior to matches considered at risk.
"I never saw anything so terrible," Peper, a former mayor of Rotterdam, said. "It's frightening to see the police harassed like that and forced to take out arms. The world has turned upside down."
With a year to go before the European Championship, to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, European football's governing body declined to get involved. "This concerns the Dutch football federation and the police of that country. We do not have to get involved in what happens outside a football stadium," a Uefa spokesman said. He stressed that Sunday's violence would not in any way interfere with the Netherlands co-hosting the tournament.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments