A football match in the Netherlands was abandoned after a player lost three teeth during an incident in the players' tunnel at half-time, with police forced to intervene and separate supporters.
IJsselmeervogels and GVVV were playing in the Tweede Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football, on Saturday afternoon when the incident occurred. IJsselmeervogels defender Quiermo Dumay, 25, was left with three missing teeth and a bloodied kit.
Incident in the tunnel
According to Dutch outlet reports, Dumay was struck in the face as he entered the players' tunnel, although it remains unclear who delivered the blow. The defender had only joined IJsselmeervogels from GVVV in the summer.
Players could be seen leaving the tunnel after the incident, calling for the medical team, while some reports suggest they then refused to come out and play the second half.
Police and security intervene
Police and stadium security then limited who could enter the tunnel as the decision was made to abandon the game. The violence threatened to spill outside the stadium, but police were able to separate the fans.
GVVV chairman Hans Schinkel spoke to RTV Utrecht about the incident: “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 under way.
“A report has even been filed with the police. But I do not know what happened, so I cannot pass judgement 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.
“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.”
Club statement
A statement on social media added: “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.”
