Feyenoord against Manchester United played with empty seats after reduced capacity is enforced for Europa League game
Dutch league leader's home capacity was reduced from 51,000 to 30,000 in an attempt to avoid crowd trouble
FEYENOORD played Manchester United, and viewers would have noticed the swathes of empty seats covered by black tarpaulin.
The Dutch league leaders' De Kuip stadium, usual capacity 51,000 has been reduced to around 30,000, as well as additional stewards having been employed and a 10 metre high net surrounding the pitch.
The reason is that the fans of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have form when it comes to European home games, and the club are bidding to avoid triggering punishments handed down by governing body Uefa for crowd trouble.
The club released a statement in August in which they said they would be taking various measures for their European home games this season in a bid to minimise the risk of further problems.
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After a home Europa League loss to Italian side Roma in February 2015, UEFA ordered Feyenoord to pay a 50,000-euro fine and to play their next European home match behind closed doors, suspended for two years, after spectators threw objects onto the field, fireworks were lit and steps were obstructed.
They were also handed the same punishment, suspended for three years, due to the racist behaviour of a fan during the match.
So one more incident and they will be feel the full force of UEFA, something the club is keen to avoid for obvious financial and potential on-the-pitch repercussions.
In their statement, Feyenoord added the measures were deemed "absolutely necessary" and the "wrongs" for which they were punished "will not be tolerated or trivialised in any way by the club who are determined to ensure they never again occur in the stadium".