Johan Cruyff Arena falls silent as Ajax Ultras banned for Sparta Rotterdam clash

It is often said that football is nothing without its supporters. Tonight that was put to the test when Ajax hosted Sparta Rotterdam at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Ajax Ultras, F team has been banned for a home match in the Eredivisie.

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The club accepted the sanction after the fireworks display launched by the group of supporters during the home match against FC Groningen last November.

This match was abandoned after just six minutes and was played a few days later behind closed doors where Ajax eventually won 2-0.

However, Ajax tried to pre-empt the sanction to avoid a ban and then left the F team empty in the 2-0 home win over Feyenoord in December.

To some extent, this self-punishment worked.

The professional football prosecutor took this into account when determining the sanction and Ajax avoided harsher consequences.

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This has led to tonight’s strange sight, where the F team’s lower tier is empty in a sold-out stadium as Ajax look to move within two points of Feyenoord in second with a win.

However, they must overcome an eighth-placed Sparta Rotterdam looking for their first win in six games, cheered on by a raucous away crowd.

Get Football | Oscar O’Mara