The professional football prosecutors want to suspend Steven Berghuis for three matches, one of which is conditional, according to De Telegraaf. The 31-year-old Ajax midfielder has been sent a settlement proposal after he was recorded punching a Twente supporter following their 3-1 defeat in Enschede on the 28th of May.
A video went viral on social media of the 45-time Netherlands international striking a supporter before boarding the Ajax team bus. The supporter in question had initially shouted towards Berghuis, who later expressed his regret, saying ‘I shouldn’t have done this.’Â
After an investigation, the prosecutor for professional football found that Berghuis’ behaviour violated the KNVB’s regulations and the ‘Officials for Professional Football’ code of conduct ‘because his action made professional football and the sport of football in general into disrepute’. ‘The prosecutor includes in the settlement proposal that Berghuis has an exemplary role as a player, but also that he was provoked by grossly insulting remarks,’ the KNVB said.
If Steven Berghuis accepts the punishment, he will miss the first three league games of next season. The attacking midfielder received his fifth yellow card of the season against FC Twente, which automatically results in a one-game suspension. In total, he’d be out for three games. If Berghuis does not agree, the disciplinary committee will look into the matter. Berghuis has until noon next Monday to respond to the proposal.
