‘People think they can shout anything’: Ajax midfielder Steven Berghuis apologises after punch
‘People think they can shout anything’: Ajax midfielder Steven Berghuis apologizes after punching an FC Twente fan… as he is fined by his club after he lashed out at the supporter following their 3-1 defeat
- Steven Berghuis seemed to throw a punch at an FC Twente fan on Sunday
- The Ajax midfielder has admitted in a statement that he ‘regrets his action’
- His club has since fined him after hearing his explanation of the incident
Ajax midfielder Steven Berghuis has been fined by the club and has apologized for hitting an FC Twente supporter.
The 31-year-old Dutch international seemed angry with a spectator who watched Ajax board their team bus on Sunday after a 3-1 defeat.
He seemed to deal a blow to the FC Twente supporter when he reached over the placed barriers.
Berghuis followed it up with some more words as he pointed at the fan being held back by a security guard, while other supporters appeared to be in shock.
In a statement, Berghuis admitted regret for his actions, but emphasized that “people think they can shout anything.”
Ajax midfielder Steven Berghuis has apologized after an altercation with an FC Twente fan
Ajax player Steven Berghuis appeared to slap an FC Twente fan before boarding the team bus after the 3-1 defeat on Sunday
He said: ‘I am sorry for my action, I should not have done this. We get a lot of swear words after every away game, while we make time to sign autographs to fans who request them.
‘I’m used to it now, but people think they can shout anything. My response doesn’t solve anything, I understand that. It’s not good, I have an exemplary function as an Ajax player.’
Ajax has also reacted to the situation and revealed that they have fined their player.
In a statement, they said: “Steven reacted the wrong way. He quickly made this known to (manager) John Heitinga and immediately apologized. Upon arrival at the Arena, he had a conversation with Heitinga, (club CEO) Edwin van der Sar and (director of football) Sven Mislintat.
They also wanted to hear his side of the story. The conclusion is that his reaction was wrong and that Ajax disapproves. He’s been fined.’
What exactly was said to Berghuis is unclear, but it was enough to make the player so angry that he lashed out.
Ajax lost 3-1 to Twente on Sunday as their sub-par season ended with a third-place finish in the Eredivisie.
It has resulted in them failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
Berghuis admitted that he regretted his actions and has been fined by the Dutch giants
Berghuis was booked after coming on as a substitute and was unable to help his side finish their campaign with a win.
Dusan Tadic had opened the scoring for the visitors before Manfred Ulgade, Julio Pleguezuelo and Vaclav Cerny struck and Twente won the game and finished fifth.
Berghuis, who won 45 caps for the Netherlands, came over from rival Feyenoord in 2021 and has scored 11 goals in 42 appearances this season.
He spent one season with Watford in 2015/16, making nine Premier League appearances before joining Feyenoord.