Dutch amateur clubs and the KNVB
7 September 2026
More amateur football clubs across the Randstad are creating competitions outside the KNVB because of frustration over aggression and disorder around matches. NOS reported that teams excluded from these new leagues disproportionately often contain many players from migrant backgrounds.
Some competitions invite only clubs participants say they enjoy playing and enforce their own sanctions, without promotion or relegation. The KNVB says it does not welcome the trend, stresses inclusion and says it is working on measures to improve match safety.