IJsselderby: PEC Zwolle vs Go Ahead Eagles, under restrictions

Words: Han Balk

Images: Han Balk

The IJsselderby between PEC Zwolle and Go Ahead Eagles is one of the hottest derbies in Holland. It is named after the IJssel, the river on which both Hanseatic cities are located.

But this time it was different. Due to a few incidents, Zwolle’s mayor created a long list of restrictions for home and away supporters.

There was already the scheduled early KO at 12:15 on Sunday and the mandatory buscombi for the 500 Go Ahead supporters who left the Adelaarshorst at 10:15 for a 37 KM / 23 mile bus trip.

But in the previous weeks the list got longer and longer. No beer or other alcohol on the buses and none in the stadium. ID checks for home and away supporters.

Tifo banners were prohibited and PEC supporters were not allowed to do a fan march from the city center to the ground. The PEC ultras showed showed their displeasure by arriving 15 mins after KO.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. PEC Zwolle vs Go Ahead Eagles.

All in all, it certainly had an impact on the whole atmosphere. The match itself? Like many other derbies and finals, they often don’t live up to expectations.

Go Ahead thought they had took the lead at the end of the first half, but it took VAR minutes to overrule it.

Just after the break, Go Ahead were reduced to 10 men because of a second yellow card for their defender Jamal Amofa. Five mins later, PEC Zwolle opened the scoring.

PEC Zwolle supporters brought a big black banner and covered the North side of the stadium in green smoke, the original PEC colour. This caused a short interruption but after the break it was Go Ahead Eagles who notched the equalizer.

After going 1-0 down with 10 men, a single point feels okay. The debate over draconian rules for supporting football in Holland continues.