Possible tribute Ajax in Johan Cruijff ArenA
If Ajax becomes national champion on Wednesday, players and staff will be honored in the Johan Cruijff ArenA after the home match against Heerenveen. A celebration not in public space as on the Museumplein causes the large national shortage of security guards. It is a good tradition that the municipality of Amsterdam organizes an event to celebrate the achievement of the national championship together with the fans. If Ajax becomes champion on Wednesday, it will be celebrated with the more than 50,000 visitors who are already going to the Aren A.
Amsterdam is proud of Ajax that, after an exciting season, is close to achieving its 36th national title. Both the Amsterdam triangle (municipality, Public Prosecution Service, police) and Ajax preferred to organize the ceremony again on the Museumplein, especially after the successful event in 2019 and the disappearance of the corona measures. However, a celebration in public space is not possible due to the severe shortage of security personnel. For all major events for requirement: one professional for every 250 visitors. Experience shows that a tribute to Ajax in public space attracts 80,000 to 100,000 visitors, which amounts to at least 320 security guards. Security guards have taken several steps, including frisking, guiding the influx and outflow of the public, and providing assistance to visitors who become unwell. These are taken that event security guards are trained in and are not carried out by the police.
At the beginning of March, the municipality made the first request for the requested safers, the problem of the shortages quickly became clear. Since then, the municipality has had 12 different companies, but the number of several has not yet been established. The options to work with service employees, hospitality or retail security guards, security guards in training, or football stewards have also been investigated, but prove not feasible. The triangle has been in contact with the chairman of the Dutch security sector to discuss the shortage. In the end, the triangle and Ajax had to conclude that the Museumplein was not an option for a celebration. Visitors, including families with children, must be able to rely on the fact that a ceremony meets all requirements and is organized safely and responsibly.
The city of Amsterdam now opts for a tribute to the team in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, where this is safe and possible. Unfortunately, only the supporters who have a ticket for the match against Heerenveen get the opportunity to attend. If Ajax wins the national title, the program will start after the awarding of the scale by the KNVB.