The Hague, Dec 30 (IANS) A Dutch fan who attacked AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban was sentenced by the magistrate in Amsterdam to six months imprisonment — of which two months shall be on probation.
The judge Thursday also told the attacker to seek help for his alcohol addiction and to report to police during matches of Ajax, AZ and the Dutch national team in the next two years.
The prosecutor had demanded ten months imprisonment, of which four on probation, reports Xinhua.
On Dec 21, the Dutch Cup match between Ajax and AZ in Amsterdam was abandoned after the Ajax fan entered the field and attacked Esteban in the back. After the incident AZ decided not to continue and the match was abandoned.
The 19-year-old man from Almere, identified under Dutch privacy laws only as Wesley van W, offered his apologies to both Esteban and his parents. In court he confessed to have an alcohol problem. ‘When I drink, my boundaries disappear and I do not know what I do,’ he explained.
The lawyer of Van W. linked his client’s actions with his limited mental abilities, but the judge observed that could not be counted as an excuse.
The Dutch football association KNVB had Thursday ordered the match to be replayed from the start without spectators on Jan 19.
In addition, Ajax received a 10,000 euros fine and one match without audience on probation.
