Ex-Chelsea star's controversial message as Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attacked after Ajax match

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 Nov 2024 11:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Violence erupted in Amsterdam following Ajax’s 5-0 Europa League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv, with Israeli fans facing a series of attacks in the centre of the city.

Videos of the incidents have circulated widely on social media, with former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech wading into the debate with a controversial Instagram post.

The situation in the Netherlands proved serious, with numerous violent incidents reported by Amsterdam police, with 62 people arrested and reports that several people remain unaccounted for, although there has been no official confirmation of this.

The situation had been heated even before Israeli fans arrived in the city, and when Maccabi fans arrived in the city there were problems with pro-Palestinian protestors in Dam Square. Images circulated on social media of Israeli fans tearing down Palestinian flags. Another unverified video shows supporters going down an escalator chanting anti-Arab slogans.

At the match itself, videos have circulated of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters jeering during a minute’s silence for the victims of flooding in Spain last week, with claims made that they also sang racist songs during this period.

After the match, the problems grew, with social media awash with videos of supporters being violently assaulted in the streets of Amsterdam.

One of these was picked up by former Ajax and Chelsea player Hakim Ziyech, who took to his Instagram stories to post a controversial message to his 11.4 million followers.

“If it’s not women and children then they run away,” the 31-year-old Galatasaray winger said on a video that showed numerous hooded youths running through the streets. “And still Free Palestine.”

Dutch Prime Minister condemns attacks

His comments are unlikely to go down well with the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who made a statement on Friday morning about the incidents.

“I followed the news from Amsterdam with horror. Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved,” he tweeted.

Maccabi Tel Aviv next play Besiktas away in the Europa League – a match that has been moved to a neutral venue over safety fears.