Five SC Cambuur fans suffered burns, hearing damage, and eye injuries after Feyenoord supporters threw fireworks during the Eredivisie match in Leeuwarden on Sunday, August 23, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The match was halted for 10 to 20 minutes in the first half while away fans lit large numbers of red flares and threw fireworks, some aimed at sections containing Cambuur supporters [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. One firework exploded just a few meters from Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst on the pitch [1, 3, 4, 5]. Robert Eenhoorn, Feyenoord's general manager, described the incident as "simply terrible" and said, "Our own goalkeeper had a flare fired at him and only just managed to avoid it" [1]. He added that the problem has plagued the club for decades and promised cooperation with clubs, the KNVB and authorities to find a solution [2].
The match resumed despite the injuries, with Feyenoord winning 5-2 and extending their unbeaten start to the season, while Cambuur suffered their third consecutive loss [1, 3, 4, 5]. Authorities said the game would have been abandoned if any player or official had been hit by fireworks [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. SC Cambuur condemned the actions, stating "It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever". They pledged to work with authorities to identify those responsible [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Leeuwarden Mayor Foort van Oosten also condemned the incident and promised a full investigation [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Dutch football association (KNVB) said it would revisit its protocols for incidents of disorder following the event. Jan Bluyssen, KNVB's manager of professional football competition affairs, said, "That doesn’t feel right. We need to examine whether the protocol is still appropriate and how we might want to adjust it" [1]. Feyenoord head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst apologized on behalf of the club to SC Cambuur after the match [2].
On Monday, August 24, 2026, SC Cambuur issued a formal statement confirming the injuries caused by the fireworks and reiterated their commitment to working with authorities to hold those responsible accountable [1, 3, 4, 5].
