Sports · Football · 7 hrs ago
De Graafschap fans barred from Vitesse match as bus is blocked
Vitesse barred De Graafschap’s away fans from its stadium in Arnhem for Sunday’s match.
The decision followed serious disorder around the teams’ previous meeting on December 4, 2025, after which clubs agreed to tighter conditions for visiting supporters.
Vitesse said some fans would not accept rules on bringing display materials, and De Graafschap could not guarantee the rules would be followed.
The clubs disagreed over how the talks had gone, with De Graafschap saying it was very disappointed and had worked to find a solution.
The club urged its supporters to respect the ban and not travel to Arnhem.
Angry supporters blocked De Graafschap’s team bus on Sunday morning as it prepared to leave Doetinchem for the match.
Whether the match would go ahead was uncertain; it was scheduled to start at 12:15.
Vitesse barred De Graafschap supporters from its home match after the clubs failed to agree on safety conditions for away fans.
The conditions followed serious disturbances around the previous meeting on 4 December 2025.
Vitesse said some supporters intended to bring atmosphere materials in a way that breached the agreed conditions, and De Graafschap could not guarantee compliance.
De Graafschap said it was very disappointed and disputed Vitesse’s account of its efforts and the supporters’ conduct.
On Sunday morning, angry supporters blocked De Graafschap’s team bus as it prepared to travel to Arnhem, leaving the match’s status uncertain.
- Who
- Vitesse and De Graafschap, along with their supporters and local authorities, were involved.
- What
- Vitesse barred away supporters; angry De Graafschap supporters later blocked the team bus.
- When
- Sunday, 8 November 2026; the match was scheduled to begin at 12:15.
- Where
- The match was to be played in Arnhem; the bus was blocked before travelling there.
- Why
- Vitesse said it could not be assured that supporters would follow safety conditions on bringing atmosphere materials.
Vitesse and local authorities
De Graafschap
Safety conditions
Vitesse and local authorities
Vitesse said some supporters intended to bring atmosphere materials in ways that breached the agreements, and the club could not guarantee compliance.
De Graafschap
De Graafschap disputed Vitesse’s account of its efforts and position, and said it took responsibility for a safe match.
Ban on away fans
Vitesse and local authorities
Vitesse and local authorities decided not to admit away supporters.
De Graafschap
De Graafschap called the decision unacceptable and urged supporters to respect it and not travel to Arnhem.
Serious disturbances occurred around the previous Vitesse–De Graafschap match.
The clubs agreed to reduce the number of away fans and set additional safety conditions.
Vitesse and local authorities decided to bar away supporters after saying compliance could not be guaranteed.
Angry supporters blocked De Graafschap’s team bus as it prepared to travel to Arnhem.
- Scheduled kick-off
- 12:15
- Previous match disturbances
- 4 December 2025
- Match venue
- Arnhem
- League positions
- Vitesse ninth; De Graafschap fifteenth in the KKD
- Away-fan decision
- No De Graafschap supporters admitted
3 sources
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