Controversy in Amsterdam over Ajax's refusal to hold a public tribute to its women's team, recently proclaimed League champion, due to "the lack of a celebration atmosphere" due to the "sports debacle" of the men's first team this season. Neither the club, nor one of the main groups of Ajax fans, have supported this celebration, which has caused great controversy in the Dutch capital.
"We do not support either the place or the time of the tribute," a club spokesperson told the Dutch newspaper NU.nl, which included the reasons why Ajax did not support this initiative, led by the poor results of the men's team and because the title was won at the beginning of the month, which takes away "momentum" from a celebration that they believe would be "disappointing" and that "it would not be good for the image of the women's team." “The lack of a celebratory atmosphere around Ajax in general also plays its part. It is not prudent to go ahead with the celebration proposed in this context, ”he explained, referring to the poor season of the men's team, third in the Eredivisie behind Feyenoord and PSV.
Harder has been the AFCASC, the main group of Ajax fans, who has issued a statement explaining the reasons why they have asked the club "not to cooperate" with the celebration of a tribute to the women's team. This group considers that "a public ceremony in Amsterdam should only be reserved for Ajax 1, the men's team", because it attracts more than 50,000 visitors each game, compared to the 800 or 1,000 who attend the women's game. In addition, they add that "the feeling among fans around this season's sports debacle does not allow for experiments such as the proposed celebration for the women's team."
Ajax became champion of the Women's League on May 7, winning their third title after those achieved in 2017 and 2018. On none of these occasions have they been able to celebrate it with the fans on the streets of Amsterdam. Yes, they received a tribute last week at City Hall, where they were received by Mayor Femke Halsema and Councilor for Sports Sofyan Mbarki.
It was during this reception that the council announced a public tribute to the champions, who received the news with joy: "If men receive a tribute when they are champions, then we should also receive one," said Sherida Spitse, captain of Ajax and International with the Netherlands. But finally the City Council had to back down due to Ajax's refusal: "Without the club's cooperation, it is not possible to successfully organize a ceremony this season," she lamented.
