Goalkeeper sent off for attacking pitch invader

22 year old AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was sent off when the player, in what looked like an act of self-defense, kicked and floored a 19 year old pitch invader.

36 minutes into the Dutch Cup match against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena Stadium, a drunk football hooligan ran onto the pitch and straight at the keeper. Alvarado spotted the player and tripped him on to the ground and followed it with a series of kicks.

Kung-Fu Goalkeeper

The invader was dragged away by the security guards but match referee Bas Nijhuis red carded the keeper for violence. The action was followed by a furious reaction from the Alkmaar bench and their coach Gertjan Verbeek then ordered his side to walk off in protest. Attempts to convince Alkmaar to continue were fruitless as their club director, Earnest Stewart, later said that his players ‘didn’t feel safe any more in this situation’.

Ajax later released an official statement and apologised for the security lapse, adding that the supporter would receive a lifetime ban from games. Ajax director Jeroen Slop told the club’s official website:

“This was a terrible incident and we deeply regret it and offer our sincere apologies.

“The supporter has been handed over to the police. It was a 19-year-old man who was probably under the influence of alcohol. He said he hated the AZ goalkeeper and had therefore attacked him.”

The Dutch FA (KNVB) must now decide what action, if any, to take. A statement read:

“The case has been submitted to the prosecutor of football. He will see if there is guilt and report his findings.

“There are three options: the game is played [completed], the game is replayed, or the respective position is regarded as the final score.”

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT HERE