KNVB upholds ban on FC Groningen away fans for season opener

FC Groningen will play the first competitive match of the new season without away supporters after the KNVB disciplinary committee rejected the club’s appeal. The decision, issued following a hearing at the end of May, applies to the opening fixture of the 2026/2027 campaign.

On 21 December 2025 FC Groningen travelled to face Go Ahead Eagles away, and fireworks were set off in the away stand during the match. The incident occurred at the Deventenaren stadium, the home ground of Go Ahead Eagles.

The KNVB disciplinary committee initially offered a settlement proposal after the incident. FC Groningen lodged an appeal against that proposal.

The club argued that it had taken sufficient measures before, during and after the match to prevent disorder. The committee did not accept that interpretation and rejected the appeal.

A hearing was held at the end of May, where the committee decided to maintain the original sanction. Consequently, no FC Groningen supporters will be permitted in the away section for the first match of the new season.

The first away fixture of the 2026/2027 season is scheduled for Sunday 16 August in The Hague, where FC Groningen will travel to meet ADO Den Haag with kickoff at 12:15. The away stand will therefore be empty of FC Groningen fans.