The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Esteban-Alvarado-c12908 got sent off for kicking pitch invader in the KNVB beker Cup encounter.
Ajax Amsterdam’s KNVB beker Cup encounter against AZ Alkmaar was suspended following an ugly incident at Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday, December 21.
With 37 minutes gone on the clock, the Amsterdammers were leading the match 1-0 courtesy a Gregory van der Wiel goal. However, the match halted after a home side supporter ran onto the field with intention to kick http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Esteban-c12907 Alvarado, the AZ goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old gloves man saw the supporter in time and responded instantly with a flying-kick. The onrushing stewards intervened and took the supporter away. However, the referee, Bas Nijhuis, showed a straight red card to the AZ shot-stopper for misbehaviour.
Nijhuis’ decision did not go well with Gertjan Verbeek, the AZ head coach, who ordered his players to leave the pitch and head for the dressing room. The referee had no choice but to suspend the match.
The Alkmaar outfit's technical director, Earnest Stewart, revealed that his side never intended to abandon the match.
“Our players did not feel safe on the field. We took a shower and went home. Early on, we just wanted to get inside to take a rest. But then it became clear that the players no longer wanted to continue. This does not belong in football and then we also
get a red card. Now we’ll wait and see what the KNVB does”, Stewart was quoted as saying to the media.
Toon Gerbrands, the AZ general manager, also supported his technical director's remarks and stressed that what he saw was a reflex action from Alvarado.
“In my eyes, what Esteban did was a response action. I hope for leniency from the KNVB because it was frightening”, Gerbrands said while talking to the journalists.
The Match officials and representatives from both sides have decided to cancel the game and it is still unclear if the match will be rescheduled or not.
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