Soccer
Keeper sent off for kicking fan
2011-12-22 15:13
Cape Town - Chaos erupted in a Dutch soccer match in Amsterdam when a goalkeeper was sent off after defending himself from a fan storming onto the pitch.
According to the
dailymail.co.uk website, chaos erupted 36 minutes into Ajax's clash with AZ Alkmaar at the Amsterdam Arena stadium on Wednesday night after a drunk 19-year-old ran onto the pitch to try and Kung Fu kick the rival team's goalkeeper.
AZ Alkmaar's Costa Rican keeper Esteban Alvarado spotted him launching his flying kick and skilfully tripped him - before himself launching an attack with a series of kicks.
Security guards dragged the supporter away before referee Bas Nijhuis red carded Alvarado for violence. Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek then ordered his side to walk off in protest.
Nijhuis said: "I understand that Esteban was defending himself, but he walked to him (the supporter) and kicked him multiple times. He could also have walked away."
Ajax were leading the round-of-16 match 1-0 after a goal by Gregory van der Wiel. Officials tried to convince the Alkmaar team to continue but their club director Toon Gerbrands said his players "didn't feel safe any more in this situation".
Ajax apologised for the incident and said the supporter would receive a lifetime ban from games.
Esteban Alvarado kicks a soccer fan. (Photo: Associated Press)