News of: Thursday, August 13 2009,

Unrest in Amsterdam at English-Dutch soccer match

Police had a busy evening last night, before and during the soccer match between England and Holland, in the Amsterdam Arena Stadium.

Groups of soccer fans caused a lot of unrest in (particularly) the Red Light District and around Dam Square, in the centre of Amsterdam. The police arrested about 40 hooligans, and 120 Ajax supporters were banned out of Amsterdam.

The police had information that groups of supporters would seize the opportunity to organize fights. On the internet there were allegedly calls to bring weapons.

The police could prevent further escalation by quickly suppressing all beginning fights, during the entire evening.

No problems were reported around the Amsterdam Arena Stadium, in Amsterdam South-East.

The soccer match ended in 2-2.