Credit: Twitter
Ajax player Steven Berghuis landed himself in hot water after he punched a Twente supporter on Sunday. The club missed out on Champions League qualification after their 3-1 defeat at FC Twente. Post-match, Berghuis was waiting by the team bus outside the De Grolsch Veste when he was approached by the Twente fans. As the 31-year-old got angered by someone in the crowd, he threw a punch at someone after leaning over the barriers.
As per a news outlet, Tubantia, the Netherland international reacted aggressively after a Twente supporter made a racist remark about his fellow team member, Brain Bobbery. One of the security members quickly jumped in to push Berghuis away, but the attacking midfielder exchanged a few words with the supporter following the incident.
The video has gone viral on social media where the Ajax player could be seen lashing out at a Twente fan in front of the Ajax bus before an official intervened. Notably, he began his career with Twente and spent a season in the Premier League with Watford. Later, he moved to the Amsterdam club in 2021-22.
Watch the video here:
Club responds, Berghuis issues apology
The Ajax midfielder apologised after the incident and regretted his actions. In his statement, he said, "I regret my actions, I should not have done this. After every away game, we get a lot of threats thrown at us on the bus while we take time out to sign autographs for fans. I’m used to it by now, but people think they can just shout anything. My reaction doesn’t solve anything, I get that. It’s not good, I have an exemplary role as a player of Ajax."
Following it, the club also responded to the final and said that the player has been fined for his actions. Ajax stated, "Steven reacted in the wrong way. He quickly made this known to John Heitinga and immediately apologised. Upon arrival at the Arena, he had a conversation with Heitinga, Edwin van der Sar, and Sven Mislintat. They also wanted to hear his side of the story. The conclusion is that his reaction was wrong and that Ajax disapproves. He has been fined."
Notably, Ajax have finished third outside the two qualification spots of the Champions League for the first time since 2009. The champions, Feyenoord have qualified for the group stage after they finished 13 points ahead of Ajax. However, the second-placed PSV Eindhoven will play in the third qualifying round.
