Willem II supporters welcome in Volendam after all: play-off match moved forward to 4:30 PM
Willem II supporters will be allowed to attend the second play-off final in Volendam after all. The municipality of Edam-Volendam had initially barred them on safety grounds following disturbances around last Sunday's FC Volendam – Telstar match, but that decision has since been reversed. In addition, the match has been brought forward by several hours: kick-off is now scheduled for 4:30 PM instead of 8:00 PM.
Municipality reverses decision following Willem II protest
Initially, Willem II's away supporters were set to be denied entry to the second play-off final in Volendam altogether. The so-called 'triangle' — the collaborative body comprising the municipality, police and the Public Prosecution Service — had refused Willem II supporters access following the disorder that occurred last Sunday after the match between FC Volendam and Telstar. However, Willem II firmly stated that their supporters had played no part whatsoever in the incidents. The club subsequently raised the matter with the relevant authorities and the professional football league board, and with success: the ban has now been lifted.
Supporters made their voices heard in the fishing village
In the meantime, Willem II supporters were not sitting idly by. On Wednesday they travelled to Volendam to make clear they considered the decision unjust. Their visit to the fishing village did not go unnoticed: banners bearing slogans such as 'Nothing can stop us now' and 'Empty stand, weak policy' subsequently appeared around the village, underlining the frustration among the Tilburg club's fanbase.
Match brought forward to 4:30 PM
Alongside the lifting of the supporters' ban, the match will also be played at an earlier time. Where the ball was originally not set to roll until 8:00 PM, kick-off has now been fixed at 4:30 PM. The second play-off final between FC Volendam and Willem II will therefore take place in a new setting: a full away end and an early start in the fishing village on the Markermeer.
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Source: Via Omroep Brabant (GNews)
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