22.11.2019

Dutch clubs to protest against racism after Ahmad Mendes Moreira abuse

Footballers in the Netherlands' top two divisions will not play during the first minute of their matches this weekend to protest against racism in Dutch football.

The decision to take a stand comes after Excelsior player Ahmad Mendes Moreira was racially abused and the subject of Nazi salutes by FC Den Bosch fans on Sunday.

At grounds across the country the message "Racisme? Dan voetballen we niet!" - 'Racism? Then we don't play football' will appear on scoreboards at games, while the players in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie will stand still and refuse to play for one minute. An extra minute will be added on to injury time in the first-half.


The abuse of Moreira was condemned by many Dutch international footballers. Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum spoke out in a press conference to say the incident had affected him personally, while Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay also tweeted about the incident calling for an end to all racism.

During the Netherlands' 5-0 over Estonia on Tuesday, Wijnaldum and team-mate Frenkie de Jong pointed to the colour of their skin after the Liverpool star scored the first of his three goals.

Den Bosch have apologised to Moreira for originally declaring in a statement that the player was not abused and had instead mistaken "crow sounds" for racist abuse during the Dutch second division match.

The referee brought the players off after half an hour as a result of the abuse from a section of the home fans.

For more on how to report racism in football click the link here.

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