Not playing by the rules: Inter Milan and Ajax fans ignore social distancing as they gather in their thousands and set off flares to celebrate title wins
- Ajax have won their 35th title in the Dutch football league while Inter Milan ended a 10-year drought in Italy
- Fans have swarmed the streets in both Amsterdam and Milan as the clubs asked them to behave responsibly
- Both countries continue to restrict public gatherings as Covid infection rates remain high across Europe
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Thousands of joyous football fans in Amsterdam and Milan have swarmed the city’s streets in breach of social distancing rules to celebrate their clubs’ victories.
Today Ajax laid claim to their 35th Dutch national league title while Inter Milan ended their 10-year trophy drought to win the Serie A title.
Supporters outside the Ajax’s Johan Cruyff Arena set off flares and waved flags after their club took a punishing 4-0 win over FC Emmen.
Players were seen showing off their silverware to fans from a balcony, prompting dozens to climb up a steep wall as they tried to get close.
Fans had not been allowed inside to watch games this season, and were jubilant at the club’s victory after last season’s potential win was scrapped due to the start of the pandemic.
Authorities in Amsterdam pleaded with fans no to travel to the stadium outside of the city, as restrictions on public continue to be in place for groups of more than two.
Thousands of joyous football fans in Amsterdam and Milan have swarmed the city’s streets in breach of social distancing rules to celebrate their clubs’ victories. Pictured: Supporters of Ajax celebrate outside the Johan Cruijff Arena
Players were seen showing off their silverware to fans from a balcony, prompting dozens to climb up a steep wall as they tried to get close
Fans had not been allowed inside to watch games this season, and were jubilant at the club’s victory after last season’s potential win was scrapped due to the start of the pandemic
‘Do not come to the Johan Cruijff Boulevard near the Arena. It is too busy there at the moment,’ said the city’s authorities in a tweet. ‘Continue to enjoy the game at home. Keep 1.5 meters away when leaving.’
Femke Halsema, the city’s mayor added: ‘We had taken into account many scenarios, but we really did not expect supporters to celebrate the championship. Especially because it was still totally uncertain until this afternoon when Ajax would become champions.
‘We do our very best to prevent new outbreaks of contamination but as mayor I can’t see everything coming in advance.’
While the Netherlands does not have the worst infection rate in Europe the country is still recording around 5,000 new cases while deaths had dropped to 21 yesterday.
In Milan, Internazionale clinched their first Serie A title in 11 years after Sassuolo drew 1-1 with second-placed Atalanta to assure Antonio Conte’s side of the league crown.
In Milan, Internazionale clinched their first Serie A title in 11 years after Sassuolo drew 1-1 with second-placed Atalanta to assure Antonio Conte’s side of the league crown
Fans were quick to march on the Piazza Duomo in the city’s historic centre
Inter are 13 points clear in first place with four games remaining, and their triumph ends a run of nine consecutive title wins for Juventus.
This year’s league success marks their 19th Serie A crown and is their first since winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League Treble in 2009-2010 under Jose Mourinho.
Fans were quick to march on the Piazza Duomo in the city’s historic centre.
The club has asked supporters to respect as much as possible the prohibitions and rules imposed by the Government for limiting the spread of Covid-19.
But as pictures shows, hundreds of supporters climbed the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, in the center of the square, many drinking beers, waving flags and setting off flares.
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