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.
NAC Breda 
SC Heerenveen 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.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ADO Den Haag ADH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | AFC Ajax Ajax | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | AZ AZ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | FC Groningen Groningen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | FC Twente '65 Twente | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | FC Utrecht Utrecht | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Feyenoord Rotterdam Feyenoord | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Fortuna Sittard Sittard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Go Ahead Eagles Go Ahead | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | NEC NEC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | PEC Zwolle Zwolle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | PSV PSV | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | SBV Excelsior Excelsior | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | SC Cambuur-Leeuwarden SC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | SC Heerenveen Heerenveen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Sparta Rotterdam Sparta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Telstar 1963 Telstar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Willem II Tilburg Willem II | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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