Five minutes into the game, members of the F-Side, the fanatic group of Ajax supporters, set off fireworks en masse in remembrance of a fellow fan who passed away earlier this week. With the stadium filled with smoke and fireworks making it unsafe, referee Bas Nijhuis immediately suspended play.
After nearly 40 minutes, play resumed, but the resumption was short-lived after the same group of Ajax fans threw more fireworks onto the pitch. Nijhuis called the players back into the tunnel and quickly signalled for a definite suspension of the game.
Speaking to ESPN, Nijhuis confirmed he'd decided to abandon the game: "The mayor of Amsterdam must approve, but as far as I am concerned, the game is officially abandoned. I cannot guarantee the safety of the players."
'Utterly scandalous'
Following the match suspension, Ajax released a statement condemning F-Side's actions.
"Ajax find what happened in the stadium tonight utterly scandalous. We apologise to anyone affected by this incident. The safety of spectators and players has been compromised. This is unacceptable. We strongly condemn this misconduct. Fireworks have no place in the stadium."
The Amsterdam club emphasised that the culprits had been searched and the club had sought to detect fireworks and stop it from entering the stadium. Ajax went on to say they'll try to identify those guilty of throwing fireworks onto the pitch using the footage available to them and will discipline them accordingly.
The Dutch KNVB released a statement saying the football association understands the disappointment of the many fans who were not involved in the match suspension, including the 1,200 away fans.
"We understand the disappointment of the vast majority of well-meaning Ajax supporters and the travelling FC Groningen supporters all too well. Those who do this are not there for the match or the football. Of course, this has consequences. Those who set off fireworks will be fined 450 euros and banned from the stadium for 18 to 60 months. But above all, it is sad for those who do support their club, the real supporters."
Though it's expected to take place around Wednesday, it is not yet known when Ajax-FC Groningen will be resumed.