Dozens of fans blocked the team bus – and caused the match to be canceled

About 160 De Graafschap fans blocked the team bus with chains and prevented it from leaving for an away match against Vitesse Arnhem, following a ban on their attendance at the stadium. The regional derby was canceled, and the club announced the fans would be banned from organized travel until March 2027.

An unusual incident occurred this week in the second division of the Netherlands, when about 160 De Graafschap fans blocked the team bus and prevented it from leaving for an away match against Vitesse Arnhem. The fans locked the gates of the home stadium with chains, and the regional derby was canceled even though thousands of Vitesse fans had already arrived at the stadium. The protest came after authorities in Arnhem decided to ban the visiting team's fans from attending the match, following a dispute over security arrangements and the inspection of cheering equipment. The club condemned the act, calling it a low point in its history, and announced that fans would not be allowed to join organized trips to away matches until March 31, 2027. The Dutch football association is considering additional sanctions and set a new date for the derby on November 23, without the visiting team's fans.