MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 04:45:22| >> :600:336236:336236:

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
1PSV EindhovenPSV17150259134645
2Ajax17123237162139
3FC UtrechtUtrecht1711333428636
4Feyenoord17105240211935
5AZ AlkmaarAZ17102531171432
6FC Twente1794432211131
7Go Ahead Eagles177463027325
8Fortuna SittardSittard177462525025
9Willem II176472119222
10NAC BredaNAC Breda177191927-822
11Heerenveen176381731-1421
12NECNijmegen1752102324-117
13PEC Zwolle174581626-1017
14Groningen164481426-1216
15Heracles163581833-1514
16Sparta RotterdamSparta172691426-1212
17Almere CityAlmere City1723121037-279
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1714121841-237


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!