Amsterdam, Dec 22: A Dutch football match ended in farce after one of the teams walked off the pitch in protest at having their goalkeeper sent off - for fighting with a fan.
A drunk hooligan ran on to the field to attack AZ Alkmaar's No.1 during the first half of their Cup match with former European champions Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena last night, Daily Mail reported.
But Costa Rican Esteban Alvarado showed all his agility as he launched a kung fu kick at the teenage thug, sending him crashing to the floor.
The Alkmaar keeper then landed a couple of kicks at the prostrate fan before security guards dragged the invader away.
Rferee Bas Nijhuis astonished the away side, however, by red-carding the goalkeeper. Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek then ordered his side to walk off in protest.
Nijhuis said: 'I understand that Esteban was defending himself, but he walked to him (the supporter) and kicked him multiple times. He could also have walked away.'
Ajax were leading the round-of-16 match 1-0 after a goal by Gregory van der Wiel when the incident happened 36 minutes in. Attempts to convince Alkmaar to continue were fruitless.
Alkmaar club director Toon Gerbrands said his players 'didn't feel safe any more in this situation'.
Ajax apologised for the security lapse and said the supporter, who was aged 19, would receive a lifetime ban from games.
Dutch Football Association director Bert van Oostveen said his organisation was considering the incident, but is not certain whether or not the game will be replayed.
Ajax coach Frank de Boer, a renowned former defender for the Netherlands' national team, said of Alvarado's reaction: 'Maybe I would have done the same thing, maybe not. But emotionally I do understand it.'
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