The Eredivisie fixture between Ajax and FC Groningen on Sunday was called off by referee Bas Nijhuis after six minutes when members of the passionate Ajax fan group F-Side set off fireworks in the stands and threw flares onto the field.

The match was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon and was set to be played without spectators, preventing thousands of well-intentioned football fans from attending.

Ruined final wish

Ajax made a special exception for one fan who was present on Sunday evening. Peter, a terminally ill Ajax supporter whose final wish was to attend one last Ajax match, was permitted to be the sole fan in attendance on Tuesday after his visit with the WensAmbulance Foundation, an organization that fulfills final wishes of terminally ill individuals, was disrupted on Sunday.

"Peter has been a devoted Ajax supporter for many years. He has played a lot of football himself and has also worked as a referee. Sadly, due to his illness, he has been in hospice care since September this year and is no longer able to leave his bed. Nevertheless, he continues to follow football closely,"WensAmbulance stated on Facebook.

"Half an hour before kickoff, we were standing outside the Johan Cruyff ArenA. Accompanied by an Ajax steward, we were shown to a great spot in the stadium. The atmosphere was positive at that moment; the FC Groningen supporters were singing lively songs," the foundation said about Peter's evening.

"Exactly at 8 p.m., the first whistle blew. It was clear that Peter and his son were enjoying themselves: watching Ajax play live together one last time — a moment that meant a great deal to them."

Peter and the foundation remained after the game was initially paused for forty minutes but had to leave once the match was officially abandoned — much to the disappointment of Peter and the foundation. However, it was announced on Tuesday that Peter would be the only fan allowed at the game against Groningen after receiving special permission from Ajax.

However, the foundation announced on Tuesday that the fan could not attend Tuesday’s match after all: "When the volunteers arrived at the hospice this afternoon to fulfill Peter’s last wish, it became clear that his condition had worsened so much that his final wish will never be realized."

A foundation volunteer told Amsterdam news outlet AT5 that first responders gave Peter earplugs after the fireworks were first set off on Sunday, and that he sensed things might go wrong:"He was really looking forward to this day. So it’s just very sad that it was ruined by the fireworks."