Shameful scenes as ‘disgusting’ football fan spits at player during match | Football

There were unsavoury scenes in Dutch football this weekend as a supporter was caught spitting at an opposition player during a match.

The shameful incident occurred in the 41st minute of Willem II’s Eredivisie clash with Almere City at the Koning Willem II Stadion.

Charles-Andreas Brym had earlier struck to give Almere a 12th-minute lead and the visitors managed to hold onto their narrow advantage as the clocked ticked towards half-time in Tilburg.

But as Vasilios Zagaritis ambled over to the touchline to collect the ball for a throw-in, the Greek defender copped an earful from an incensed Willem II fan, who proceeded to spit in his direction.

The bespectacled Willem II supporter momentarily locked eyes with Zagaritis, who was pictured laughing and appeared oblivious to the fan’s revolting act.

The spectator in question then walked out of view of the television cameras, but his face has spread like wildfire across social media, with the wider footballing community taking a dim view of his ‘disgusting’ behaviour.

Willem II had lost Kyan Vaesen to a red card just ten minutes prior to the shocking incident and the hosts’ evening went from bad to worse as Marvin Martins’ doubled Almere’s lead just moments into the second half.

‘Two blunders by Willem II, having to play with ten men for an hour and being 0-1 behind against the bottom team,’ @Dolf_v_Aert wrote on X.

‘And apart from the sporting aspect, this disgusting action. So far, a terrible evening in Tilburg.’

‘This spitting Willem II supporter should also be given a lifelong stadium ban,’ X user @Kedebo01 said.

In reply, @roelmertens said: ‘Track them down and never let them into a football stadium again. Idiot behaviour.’

Meanwhile, @John_Visser026 wrote: ‘Bizarre images of a Willem II “supporter” who spat on an Almere city player. What’s going on in your head man.’

Another fan, @MichelvBokhoven, said: ‘Give this man, who felt the need to spit on the Almere City player, his moment of fame.’

Lowly Almere held firm to come away with an important 2-0 victory, but not before more drama unfolded, with Willem II having a penalty appeal waved away in the 88th minute.

Enraged Willem II supporters responded by throwing cups and missiles onto the pitch and referee Sander van der Eijk had to pause the game while the objects were removed from sight.

The win was only Almere’s fourth of the entire top-flight campaign and was enough to lift the club into 17th place.

Bottom-placed RKC Waalwijk trail Almere by one point in the table, but have two games in hand over Jeroen Rijsdijk’s men ahead of their clash with PEC Zwolle.

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