Vitezslav Jaros was back in Ajax’s starting lineup in the Eredivisie for the first time since October, but the match was abandoned after fireworks were let off behind one of the goals.
Jaros made his return to the XI in the Dutch side’s midweek Champions League defeat to Benfica and retained his place for Groningen’s visit on Sunday.
It was his first league start in five matches, but he saw just five minutes of action before the referee took the players off the pitch, with the match later abandoned.
Ajax match abandoned after firework display
The decision came after fireworks and flares were ignited inside the Johan Cruyff Arena shortly after kickoff, causing the stadium to fill up with smoke.
An attempt to restart the match came 45 minutes later, but more fireworks followed, leaving Ajax to condemn the “utterly outrageous” actions.
“We offer our apologies to everyone who has been affected in any way,” Ajax said in a statement. “The safety of spectators and players has been put at risk. That is unacceptable.
“We emphatically distance ourselves from this misconduct. Fireworks do not belong in the stadium.
En dan ga je na 6 jaar weer eens naar Ajax voor 6 minuten voetbal. Schandalig dit. #Ajax pic.twitter.com/viGHid6ScX
— shelly (@shellyajax) November 30, 2025
“The spectators who were in the affected part of the stadium were searched. Dogs were also deployed to detect fireworks, both in the stadium before it opened and during the arrival of spectators.
“Additional preventive measures were also taken. Nevertheless, we have not been able to prevent this situation.”
This is not the first time Ajax have had a game suspended due to fireworks inside the stadium, with the last incident as recent as 2023. Those identified as having ignited fireworks face fines and a stadium ban.
Ajax ultra group, F-side, posted an Instagram story which showed they let off the fireworks and flares in tribute to a supporter who passed away in November.
Ajax vs. Groningen to resume behind closed doors
3CKWMCR AMSTERDAM - James McConnell of Ajax after the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and PEC Zwolle at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 13, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. ANP IRIS VAN DEN BROEK
The match will resume in the sixth minute on Tuesday afternoon and will be played behind closed doors, meaning Jaros will be expected to see out the match and play valuable minutes.
It will be the goalkeeper’s 13th appearance of the season and a valuable one in the league, having watched 42-year-old Remko Pasveer assume the No. 1 responsibilities in the last four games.
Fellow Liverpool loanee James McConnell, however, was not named in Fred Grim’s squad on Sunday to ensure he has played only 12 minutes across Ajax’s last six games.
With John Heitinga having been sacked and McConnell featuring for only 219 minutes so far this season, a January recall is likely to be in the reckoning for the 21-year-old midfielder.