Soccer Football - Europa League - Group B - Ajax Amsterdam v AEK Athens - Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands - December 14, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
(Reuters) - More than 140 fans were arrested in Amsterdam for vandalising the metro ahead of Ajax Amsterdam's 3-1 Europa League win over AEK Athens on Thursday, local media reported.
Supporters clashed after trains containing fans of the opposing clubs stopped next to each other en route to the stadium.
Fans also clashed with police in the city centre.
Following the incidents, a station was evacuated to ensure trains containing AEK fans could pass safely, Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported.
The Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema was quoted by NOS as saying the incidents were "a blemish on an exciting football evening that Ajax fans enjoyed a lot."
Crowd trouble has affected Dutch football several times this year, with league games being abandoned in April and May after projectiles, including smoke bombs, were thrown onto the pitch by spectators.
Ajax secured third place in Group B with victory on Thursday and will drop down to the Conference League knockout round playoffs. AEK, who finished bottom of the group, are out of European competition.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
