Edwin van der Sar has hit back at criticism from Louis van Gaal and claims Ajax would be hit hardest if it is decided that the Eredivisie campaign is ended early.

After Marc Overmars asked for the season to be ended early, Louis van Gaal spoke to AD and claimed that the clubs asking for the KNVB to end the season are only looking out for their own interests.

Van der Sar has dismissed this claim, telling AD, “That is of course not the case.

“If we stop, we will be hit the hardest with our expensive housekeeping. Harder than if we can continue. Everyone assumes that the champion of the Netherlands directly qualifies for the Champions League and is already 40 million euros richer. “

Ajax are currently top of the Eredivisie and if they are champions they would only reach the group stages of the Champions League if this season’s winner qualifies for the competition through their domestic league, “And what happens if the Champions League is not resumed at all? We play football for our supporters. And I think it is strong that they can be in the stands when we resume in June. That is why we advise to stop.”

Van der Sar isn’t worried about losing a European spot if they didn’t complete the league, despite threats from UEFA, “There are also many clubs in Europe who want to quit just like Ajax. Furthermore, I am not a lawyer, so I don’t know if UEFA can impose such a sanction, but it will undoubtedly be discussed when countries stop. ”

Van der Sar added that Ajax are being hit financially like all clubs, “We worked hard for a buffer in tough times. But we have 470 employees and the player salaries have grown from 25 to 55 million euros in just over 2 years. I am not going to mention amounts about how much we may be losing, because we are listed. But nothing comes in now. Our three fan shops are closed, but the rent and personnel costs continue. 

“Fortunately, we have long-term contracts with our sponsors Ziggo and Adidas, but we also have business relationships that are struggling. The football world will also look really different, including the transfer market. And we are very dependent on transfers. We want to join the European summit and spend more structurally than comes in.

“Therefore, we were already heading for a loss before the corona crisis. ”

Van der Sar supports Marc Overmars view of ending the season now, “We believe that there should be clarity for players and supporters. The fun is over, let’s look at next season. “




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