Over 2,000 Ajax fans are set to turn up at Leyton Orient on November 5 after being banned from watching their Champions League clash at Chelsea.
Ajax Fans To Descend On Brisbane Road
Champions League Controversy
The Dutch side head to London on November 5 for their Group H clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
However, their fans have been hit with a ban following trouble against Benfica last season.
The raucous set of supporters were initially handed a suspended sentence but the fans re-offended against Valencia earlier this month.
UEFA have banned the Dutch side’s fans and fined them £43,000.
The governing body have also hit the club with a “conditional penalty of one year for selling tickets at an away match”.
Planning prior to the sanctions were imposed, over 2000 Ajax fans had already arranged flights and accommodation to stay in the capital.
Therefore, the passionate supporters hope to attend Leyton Orient’s Leasing.com Trophy clash with Brighton Under-21s.
One popular Ajax fan tweeted:
Dear @leytonorientfc. Are you willing to host 2.000 Ajax fans? We are systematicly and unlawfully screwed by @UEFA and @metpoliceuk. Lots of us booked transport and hotels allready ans will travel. You might risk a great atmosphere and memories forever. Kind regards, pic.twitter.com/hzWgJ0GVBF
— van pogo tot popo (@vanpogototpopo) October 17, 2019
Historically Low Attendances
It has been no surprise to football fans that attendances in the EFL Trophy have been low; well-supported clubs such as Sunderland were followed by crowds of around 8,000.
This was comparatively low compared to the Mackem’s season average of 32,000.
MK Dons hosted two group games last season yet an average of only 1,711 watched in the 30,500-capacity stadium.
Promoted Luton Town also suffered low attendances in the competition despite red-hot form in the League.
The Hatters struggled to surpass 1,200 from their three fixtures in the tournament.
From four fixtures in the competition, Accrington Stanley were supported by an average crowd of just 889; 308 supporters witnessed Gillingham’s only home fixture in the tournament.
Sunderland and Portsmouth met in the EFL Trophy Final where they broke the final attendance record for the competition as over 85,000 travelled to Wembley.
A spokesman for Leyton Orient said: “We are aware of the interest from AFC AJax supporters in attending the Leasing.com Trophy match against Brighton & Hove Albion U21’s on November 5th at the Breyer Group Stadium.
“We will be entering in communication with AFC Ajax in how best to facilitate this.”
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