Amsterdam mayor takes back 'pogrom' comments following Maccabi-Ajax violence

The mayor of Amsterdam has taken back comments describing violence that took place following a football match between Israeli and Dutch teams earlier this month as a "pogrom", and has said Israel "bypassed" Dutch authorities regarding the details of the events.

Mayor Femke Halsema was speaking on Sunday evening on Dutch state broadcaster NPO's News Hour programme. 

On 6 and 7 November, travelling Maccabi Tel Aviv fans stirred trouble in different parts of the Dutch capital by chanting racist anti-Arab slogans ahead of their Uefa Europa League match against Amsterdam club Ajax. 

Fans were also seen removing at least two Palestinian flags from what appeared to be residential buildings the night before the match. Following such provocations, confrontations erupted between Maccabi fans and Dutch youths, before and after the match, and late into the night. 

A large group of Maccabi supporters were seen arming themselves with sticks, pipes and rocks and clashing with Dutch youths. Videos posted on social media showed people attacking and chasing some of the Israeli fans.

Read more: Amsterdam mayor takes back 'pogrom' comments following Maccabi-Ajax violence