FC Groningen has accepted the settlement proposal from the prosecutor of paid football for Etienne Vaessen. This means that the goalkeeper is suspended for four matches, one of which is conditional, due to his behavior after the Eredivisie match against Ajax.
After the 2-2 draw between Groningen and Ajax on May 14, emotions ran high. Players and staff members of FC Groningen and Ajax clashed with each other. Vaessen delivered some heavy blows in the process.
“The past week, FC Groningen has taken the time to find out exactly what happened in the turmoil that arose,” the club writes on its website on Thursday. “It has become clear that many things happened back and forth that do not belong on a football field.”
FC Groningen distances itself from “inappropriate behavior” and disapproves of the course of events in the Euroborg. “As a signal that this behavior in general does not belong on a football field, FC Groningen has chosen to accept the settlement proposal for Vaessen. The club believes that all players should have an exemplary function at all times. On and off the field.”
Due to the suspension, Vaessen will miss the first three matches of next season. The goalkeeper already did not participate in the last league match of the season against PEC Zwolle (2-0 defeat) on Sunday. He received his fifth yellow card of the season against Ajax and was therefore suspended.
FC Groningen-Ajax ended in a 2-2 draw after a late goal from the home team. Due to the loss of points, Ajax lost the top position to PSV, who secured the national title last weekend.