MX23RW : Thursday, April 3 16:06:34| >> :600:260159:260159:

Ajax melt down league trophy to make "champion stars" for supporters

Ajax melt down league trophy to make
© Reuters
Each star weighs 3.45 grams, 0.06 of which has come from the silverware.

Ajax have melted down their Eredivisie trophy in order to share the title with supporters who missed out on the success because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The newly crowned Dutch league winners have created over 42,000 "champion stars" from the silverware, which will be distributed to the club's season-ticket holders.

Each star weighs 3.45 grams, 0.06 of which has come from the trophy.

Ajax general director Edwin Van Der Sar told the club's website: "This season, we have largely had to play without our fans.

"Well, without them sitting in the stands, at least. Despite this, we have felt their support every week.

"On the way to the stadium, on social media and in our personal contacts.

"Previously, when we said 'this title is for you' we were expressing how we were doing it for the fans. However, sharing the trophy is the ultimate proof that we really are.

Chelsea v Ajax – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Stamford Bridge
Ajax chief executive Edwin Van Der Sar says sharing the trophy is the "ultimate proof" the title is for the fans (John Walton/PA)

"After a turbulent year, we are ensuring our fans feel part of our championship."

Ajax comfortably claimed a 35th Eredivisie title this season and lead second-placed PSV Eindhoven by 14 points with two games remaining.

Erik Ten Hag's side have played 30 of their 34 league matches in empty stadiums due to Covid-19.

Netherlands Soccer Eredivisie
Ajax fans celebrated outside the Johan Cruyff Arena as their team clinched the title on Sunday, May 2 (Peter Dejong/AP)

Ajax captain Dusan Tadic said: "Playing in an empty stadium doesn't compare with an atmospheric Johan Cruyff Arena.

"We have really missed our supporters over the past season here in Amsterdam and during all our matches.

"We therefore want to dedicate this title to our fans and can't wait to play in front of them again."

The Dutch Football Association has given Ajax a second trophy as an exception due to the pandemic.

ID:447116: cacheID:447116:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6121:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Manchester United's Old Trafford taken August 2018
Read Next:
Man United, Ajax 'to battle for Ghanaian starlet'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax27214257203767
2PSV EindhovenPSV27184578324658
3Feyenoord27158461322953
4FC UtrechtUtrecht2715754839952
5AZ AlkmaarAZ27137747311646
6FC Twente27137753391446
7Go Ahead Eagles2713594943644
8Groningen2788112638-1232
9Fortuna SittardSittard2795133246-1432
10Heracles27710103548-1331
11Heerenveen2787123248-1631
12NECNijmegen2786134040030
13NAC BredaNAC Breda2786132945-1630
14PEC Zwolle2778123241-929
15Sparta RotterdamSparta27610112835-728
16Willem II2766152844-1624
17RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2746173456-2218
18Almere CityAlmere City2746171850-3218


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!