The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has postponed Ajax’s Eredisive match against PEC Zwolle which was set to be played three days ahead of a Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
The Amsterdam giants lost 2-1 at home in the first leg of the last-16 tie and are due to go to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return meeting with the Champions League holders on March 5.
Ajax were scheduled for Eredivisie action at home to PEC the weekend before, but that match will now be played on March 13 following a KNVB announcement.
“In the interest of Dutch football, we have agreed with all clubs prior to this season to take into account as much as possible the European obligations of the Dutch clubs,” said manager of competition affairs Jan Bluyssen.
Points
“Ajax are still the only club this season that can win the points for the UEFA coefficient list on behalf of Dutch football, so we will take that into account as agreed. We realise that the start time of 18:30 on a weekday is unfavorable for the supporters of PEC Zwolle, but because it is a Champions League evening, it cannot be otherwise.”
However, PEC chairman Adriaan Visser said his club – who are in danger of being relegated from the Eredivisie – refuse to accept the change in the fixture date.
“This is just a distortion of competition and totally unacceptable to us,” Visser told De Stentor. “The KNVB must ensure an orderly course of our competition. As a result, we suddenly have three games in a week, unlike other league rivals.