Dutch League Postpones Matches for European Competitions
The Dutch Football Federation agrees to reschedule Eredivisie matches to support top clubs Ajax, Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar, and FC Twente in their European campaigns.
The Dutch Football Federation has approved the request from top clubs Ajax, Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar, and FC Twente to adjust the Eredivisie schedule to accommodate their participation in European competitions early next year.
The clubs argued that the overlap between domestic and European fixtures made it practically impossible to compete effectively on both fronts. In response, the federation has decided to immediately reschedule four league matches:
- Feyenoord vs Almere City
- Twente vs NEC
- Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles
- AZ Alkmaar vs Fortuna Sittard
Additionally, two other games in the 20th week of the Eredivisie—AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Rotterdam and Groningen vs Heerenveen—will also see changes. The semi-finals of the Dutch Cup, initially scheduled for February 22-23, have been moved to February 25-27.
The federation emphasized that this decision aligns with a prior agreement between clubs and the governing body, ensuring at least 48 hours between domestic and European fixtures. These adjustments aim to balance competitive fairness and enhance the performance of Dutch clubs in international tournaments.