The KNVB has announced that Ajax’s game with PEC Zwolle has been moved to give the Amsterdam club more time to prepare for their Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
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Ajax were set to face PEC Zwolle on the 2nd of March but that tie has now been moved to Wednesday the 13th of March.
The Amsterdammers travel to Real Madrid on the 5th of March looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first-leg and the KNVB wants to give Erik ten Hag’s side more time to prepare.
The reason they give is that the tie is crucial for Dutch football with the coefficient battle with Austria so close. A statement read, “The Netherlands urgently needs the points for coefficient list from UEFA. If the Netherlands holds the current eleventh place in that ranking, it means that the national champion of the season 2019/20 enters directly into the Champions League, if the Champions League-winner also places itself in the regular season for that tournament. However, number twelve Austria is on the heels of the Netherlands.”
The decision has infuriated PSV Eindhoven, who feel it is an advantage for one of their rivals in the title race, while PEC Zwolle are also unhappy. The clash is now a 5.30pm kick-off on a weekday, which will be a pain for the club’s fans. According to De Telegraaf, both PSV and PEC Zwolle are considering legal action against the KNVB.
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