A football match in the Netherlands' second division was abandoned after a tunnel incident left one player bloodied and with three missing teeth. Police rushed to the scene at Sportpark De Westmaat to keep rival supporters apart as disorder broke out.
Player loses three teeth in tunnel clash
The match between IJsselmeervogels and GVVV in the Tweede Divisie saw IJsselmeervogels defender Quiermo Dumay, 25, lose three of his teeth. He was pictured in a blood-soaked kit in the aftermath, with Dutch media reporting he was struck in the face as he walked into the tunnel. The identity of the perpetrator remains unknown.
Dumay had only recently moved to IJsselmeervogels from GVVV during the summer transfer window. Players were seen emerging from the tunnel after the incident, urgently calling for medical assistance, with some reports indicating they subsequently refused to take to the pitch for the second half.
Police and officials intervene
Police and stadium security moved quickly to restrict access to the tunnel as officials decided to abandon the fixture. The disorder threatened to spill beyond the stadium grounds, but officers successfully kept the fans separated.
GVVV chairman Hans Schinkel spoke about the incident to RTV Utrecht: "I have seen the photo, and your first thought is: what has happened? You want to know what has happened. We will hear that shortly. I believe an investigation is now underway."
"A report has even been filed with the police. But I do not know what happened, so I cannot pass judgment on it. I do not think it was an IJsselmeervogels player who dealt the blow. But of course you never know what the reason was. But whatever happened, it can never be justified."
Club statement and next steps
"Let us be very clear about that. It could well have consequences for GVVV. But I am happy to leave that to the KNVB. I am not a specialist in that," Schinkel added.
A social media statement read: "The board of G.V.V.V. deeply regrets the course of events following the end of the first half during the away match against IJsselmeervogels. G.V.V.V. distances itself from what happened and strongly condemns."
"The board will take appropriate measures as soon as more details about the situation that has arisen are known."
