Board of professional soccer wants to punish unsportsmanlike behavior players faster

Misconduct by players and trainers will be punished more severely from now on if it is up to the KNVB. During the general meeting of professional soccer, the professional soccer league board announced that referees must give a yellow card more quickly.

In the KNVB Cup final between PSV and Ajax, among others, the unsportsmanlike behavior of players was striking. It was a duel full of irritations and rioting. “We must stop this trend,” the KNVB stated in a statement. “Harder action must be taken when players push, pull, curse or stand with their heads against each other.”

“There are limits to what players and trainers can say to a referee,” the KNVB continued. “Within the existing regulations, referees will draw a yellow card more quickly in these situations. In addition, the clubs will have discussions with the players and trainers on this subject.”

The professional soccer league board consists of the directors of the KNVB, Eredivisie CV (ECV) and Coöperatie Eerste Divisie CED. During the general meeting of professional soccer, the board also announced one adjustment in the rules around suspending matches in professional soccer.

In the new season, if someone throws something on the field and the perpetrator is caught immediately afterwards and expelled from the stadium, that act no longer counts in the steps toward permanently halting the match.

The KNVB is making this adjustment because supporters in some cases also abused the stricter rules introduced in April. For example, in the home match against Ajax in mid-May, FC Groningen fans were deliberately intent on having the game stopped.

With the exception of one adjustment, the KNVB is sticking to those stricter rules, it became clear Tuesday at the general meeting of professional soccer. The overall approach will be discussed in the coming weeks with all national partners in the soccer and safety steering group and with the ministers of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and and Justice and Security.