Fireworks force abandonment in NAC vs Heerenveen match

The Eredivisie match between NAC Breda and Heerenveen was abandoned on Sunday after repeated crowd disturbances involving fireworks thrown onto the pitch.

The game at the Rat Verlegh Stadium was first halted in the 62nd minute, with NAC leading 1-0, after home supporters launched flares and objects onto the field. Following a temporary suspension and consultations with safety officials, play eventually resumed, and NAC extended their lead to 2-0.

However, the situation escalated again in the 82nd minute when more fireworks were thrown onto the pitch. Referee Sander van der Eijk then made the decision to abandon the match permanently.

Eredivisie 90'

2026-05-10 14:45

NAC Breda

2 – 0

SC Heerenveen

Matchday 33 Regular season

Tensions had been building even before kickoff, with sections of the NAC fanbase staging protests against head coach Carl Hoefkens and the club’s leadership.

Banners calling for Hoefkens’ dismissal were visible in the stands, while technical director Peter Maas also came under heavy criticism. The unrest follows a turbulent period for the club, including the recent resignation of Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Reports suggested prior to the match that some supporters planned to disrupt proceedings as a form of protest, a scenario that ultimately played out during the game. The incidents prompted strong reactions from other fans inside the stadium, with chants condemning the behaviour.

From a sporting perspective, NAC had taken the lead in the first half through a stunning strike from captain Boy Kemper, who later doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after the restart. Despite their efforts, the result ultimately became irrelevant.

NAC’s relegation from the Eredivisie was confirmed regardless of the outcome, following FC Volendam’s 1-1 draw with Excelsior.

Eredivisie standings

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS
1	PSV PSV	33	26	3	4	96	44	52	81
2	Feyenoord Rotterdam Feyenoord	33	18	8	7	68	44	24	62
3	FC Twente '65 Twente	33	15	13	5	58	35	23	58
4	NEC NEC	33	15	11	7	75	52	23	56
5	AFC Ajax Ajax	33	14	13	6	62	41	21	55
6	AZ AZ	33	14	9	10	55	48	7	51
7	FC Utrecht Utrecht	33	14	8	11	53	42	11	50
8	SC Heerenveen Heerenveen	32	14	8	10	57	51	6	50
9	FC Groningen Groningen	33	13	6	14	47	44	3	45
10	Sparta Rotterdam Sparta	33	12	7	14	38	59	-21	43
11	Fortuna Sittard Sittard	33	11	6	16	49	61	-12	39
12	Go Ahead Eagles Go Ahead	33	8	14	11	53	51	2	38
13	PEC Zwolle Zwolle	33	9	10	14	44	69	-25	37
14	SBV Excelsior Excelsior	33	9	8	16	40	54	-14	35
15	Telstar 1963 Telstar	33	8	10	15	47	54	-7	34
16	FC Volendam Volendam	33	8	8	17	34	53	-19	32
17	NAC Breda NAC	32	5	10	17	30	55	-25	25
18	Heracles Almelo Heracles	33	5	4	24	34	83	-49	19