FC Twente-Sparta should have been temporarily suspended

The match between FC Twente and Sparta Rotterdam (3-3) should have been temporarily halted Sunday after supporters of the home club from Enschede threw objects onto the pitch. That is what a KNVB spokesman replied to questions about the incident.

“In recent times it has unfortunately become apparent that more stringent measures are needed with the aim of ensuring the safety of people working on the field,” a spokesman for the soccer association stated.

“One of these rules is that the match must be temporarily halted if objects are thrown onto the pitch. So FC Twente – Sparta should have been stopped as well. We’re not going to explain every specific situation, but this is clear.”

Disappointed FC Twente fans threw objects on the pitch when Sparta striker Shurandy Sambo celebrated his equalizer (3-3) in injury time in front of a stand of fanatical supporters of the home team. Referee Joey Kooij decided not to temporarily stop the match but did give Sambo a yellow card for provocative behavior.

“That was a justified yellow card for provocative behavior,” the KNVB spokesman stated. “If we are all working to keep misbehavior out of the stadiums, then provoking supporters does not help.”

Sambo himself also quickly realized that he would have been better off celebrating his goal in a different way. “It was not convenient to do my celebration in that corner,” he revealed on social media after the match. “It was nothing personal, it was just emotions.”