http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmamIYFN1s8
There were truly astonishing scenes in Holland last night when the Ajax AZ Alkmaar game was abandoned after an extremely violent confrontation between the AZ ‘keeper and an Ajax fan.
AZ ‘keeper Esteban Alvarado lost the plot when he was attacked by an Ajax fan who had invaded the pitch towards the end of the first half. The shaven-headed fan tried to jump-kick Alvarado in the face, but the Costa Rican ‘keeper was more than a match for the mental supporter, even if he did get a bit carried away afterwards.
After the fan’s attempt at a kick failed and he landed on the ground, Alvarado pummelled him with a series of kicks before a couple of stewards and his team-mates intervened.
Although Alvarado was clearly only defending himself, referee Bas Nijhuis sent him off directly afterwards, prompting Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek to order his players off the pitch. Not long afterwards, both parties decided that the game should be abandoned and it is not yet clear what action will be taken against Alvarado or Ajax.
To get a proper view of the incident, fast forward to 2.35 where you will see Alvarado mete out some fierce punishment to the pitch invader, while keep an eye out for his reaction about 20 seconds later when he braces himself for another fan confrontation only to discover that it was a steward and not another crazy supporter approaching him.
So what do you think? Did Alvarado go too far, or was the supporter deserving of all that was coming to him? Let us know in the comment box below.
Such a controversial incident is bound to polarise opinion, but I think we can all agree that if you’re going to target one player during a pitch invasion, stay the hell away from Esteban Alvarado.
