Pep and Frans, two brothers who have been following every FC Utrecht match in the stadium for years, are writing a column for DUIC. They do this entirely in their own way and dare to say anything. The column reviews the week of FC Utrecht. What do the men think of the game that was shown? Who were the standouts? And what do the men think of the administrative choices that are made? Martijn Kramer then writes down the story.
The football patience of the FC Utrecht supporter is being tested. After the free international weekend two weeks ago, there was no play last weekend either. Due to police strikes, the match between Ajax and FC Utrecht was removed from the schedule. The match will not be rescheduled until November or December, which may well smell like competition distortion.
The cancellation of the match is a reason for mixed feelings among many football fans. The police of course have every right to demonstrate. It is then up to the mayor to let the match go ahead or throw it out. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema has decided not to take the risk. Both clubs have done everything in their power to be able to play the match without the presence of the police. All the directors and supporters’ associations involved have suggested potential solutions, but unfortunately Halsema has decided otherwise. She apparently only sees violent obstacles when it comes to football fans.
Competitievervalsing
Still, there is something to be said for the decision to stop. Ajax – FC Utrecht will always remain a risky match. Suppose we had rolled up those arrogant Ajax players 0-2 and a massive brawl broke out after the match, out of frustration, then that would all be her responsibility. Still, the cancellation is a form of competition distortion in terms of sports. FC Utrecht is in a wonderful flow, while Ajax has not yet found its groove. The match will not be made up until November or December and in the meantime the Amsterdammers are increasingly coming to war strength. Ajax has signed Davy Klaassen and Wout Weghorst is also being trained further. If there was a chance to win in Amsterdam, it was last weekend.
Cream of the crop
Despite FC Utrecht’s football-free period, football was still played in Stadion Galgenwaard last week. On Sunday 8 September, everything was focused on Mark van der Maarel’s farewell match. It was an iconic farewell party where around ten thousand people thanked Van der Maarel for the last time. The club had organised this farewell in a wonderful way. A special match shirt had been made and all the former players showed off some nice things on the pitch. Ironically enough, on such a day you also see how many former top players FC Utrecht has produced. Ruud Boymans, Dave Bulthuis, Jeroen Verhoeven and Alje Schut. These are just a few legendary names who have walked around here. As a grand finale to the afternoon, section M was named after Mark van der Maarel. A wonderful gesture, but at the same time surprising that another section on the Bunnikside is named after someone. Section U, where all the students sit, should have been named after him. The students in particular thought he was a great cult hero. Nevertheless, it was just a blemish on a real Utrecht afternoon.
