Five SC Cambuur supporters were injured after fireworks were thrown from the away section during Sunday’s Eredivisie match against Feyenoord in Leeuwarden.
The game at Kooi Stadion was halted for about 10 minutes during the first half after a large number of red flares were set off among the travelling Feyenoord fans. Fireworks were also thrown towards areas occupied by home supporters.
Cambuur later confirmed that five people had suffered injuries including burns, hearing damage and eye problems.
Feyenoord condemned the disorder and said head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst apologised to Cambuur on behalf of the club after the match. The Rotterdam side also plans to request stadium camera footage as part of efforts to identify those responsible.
Cambuur said it would cooperate with the authorities to ensure action is taken against the individuals involved. The club returned to the Eredivisie this season after spending three years in the Dutch second division.
The incident has renewed concerns over the use of pyrotechnics in Dutch football. Last season, an Eredivisie fixture between Ajax and Groningen was abandoned after fireworks and flares were set off behind one of the goals at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Feyenoord went on to win Sunday’s match 5-2, but general manager Robert Eenhoorn said the result had been overshadowed by the scenes in the stands. He called for clubs, the Dutch football association and public authorities to work together on stronger measures to tackle a problem that has persisted for years.
Leeuwarden mayor Foort van Oosten also condemned the disorder and confirmed that an investigation would be launched.
The KNVB, meanwhile, said it would review its existing match protocols. Under the current rules, the game was allowed to resume because no player or match official was struck by a firework. Had that happened, the fixture would have been abandoned.
KNVB professional football competition manager Jan Bluyssen acknowledged that the situation had exposed questions over whether the current policy remains appropriate and said possible changes will now be considered.