1 hour Ago
Amsterdam and Utrecht Focus on Managing the Celebrations
In Amsterdam, officials plan to have police officers, street coaches, and community fathers present at public viewing events. Their goal is to keep the mood upbeat and festive without letting things spiral out of control.
Utrecht’s local government has taken a similar approach, stating that it wants residents to be able to enjoy any victory together. City officials said they are reviewing what happened during last Saturday’s celebrations and tweaking their approach based on those lessons.
Rotterdam Sets a Curfew, Blocks Off Key Streets
Rotterdam is taking a firmer stance this time. Celebrations will be permitted, but the party has to wrap up within an hour of the final whistle. A city spokesperson noted that things eventually need to settle down, pointing out that many residents have work commitments the following morning.
To manage traffic and keep emergency lanes open, several roads and parking garages will shut down starting at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday. This includes Coolsingel, Witte de Withstraat, and portions of Meent and Nieuwe Binnenweg. These closures will lift an hour after the match concludes.
The Hague Stays Quiet After Weekend Violence
Unlike the other cities, The Hague has not revealed what steps it’s taking this time around. The city was the site of serious rioting following Saturday’s game. Mayor Jan van Zanen described the events as involving “serious disturbances and violence against the police” in a formal letter sent to the city council.
Meanwhile, the civil rights group Controle Alt Delete has accused police of using excessive force during the crackdown, claiming that even cooperative bystanders were struck with batons. In response to the backlash, The Hague’s city council has scheduled an emergency debate on Thursday to review how police handled the situation.
