AFC Ajax's Eredivisie match against Groningen was abandoned after just five minutes of football due to fireworks being set off by supporters in the Johan Cruyff Arena. The fireworks began in the fifth minute of the match as a tribute to a member of the club's hardcore F-side contingent, forcing referee Bas Nijhuis to suspend the game and take the players off the field. The referee tried to restart the match once the smoke had cleared, but the fireworks started again almost immediately. Nijhuis suspended play again and shortly afterwards confirmed that the match had been abandoned after consulting with city mayor Femke Halsema. AFC Ajax later announced that the match would be finished on Tuesday afternoon behind closed doors. The club will also face sanctions from the Dutch football association KNVB, including a hefty fine. The club has also banned the F-side from the home match against Feyenoord on December 14. Stands 125 to 129, where the hardcore fans congregate, will be empty. Marketing director Menno Geleen said that the fans had gotten fireworks into the stadium by forcing an emergency exit. A large group of people without tickets but with a large quantity of fireworks made their way into the stadium. We are currently working to identify these people. AFC Ajax condemned the events in the stadium as 'utterly scandalous'. The safety of spectators and players was endangered, that is unacceptable. Two years ago, AFC Ajax was fined €25,000 and the F-side fans were banned from a home game after the match against Feyenoord had to be abandoned when plastic cups, flares, and other items were hurled onto the pitch. The KNVB's investigation is another headache for the crisis-hit club, who sacked manager John Heitinga three weeks ago after losing their first five Champions League matches. Since then, they have sunk to sixth place in the Eredivisie, level on points with Groningen, after winning just one of their last six league matches. AFC Ajax is also looking for a technical director after Alex Kroes confirmed he would be leaving at the end of the season, or earlier if a replacement can be found. Last week, AFC Ajax confirmed talks were being held with Jordi Cruyff after he was spotted meeting club executives in Barcelona.