Ajax and Feyenoord’s Eredivisie clash was called off after fans threw flares onto the pitch at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The match in Amsterdam had already been halted twice before the break by referee Serdar Gözübüyük because of fans throwing fireworks and a plastic cup onto the field.

“De Klassieker is permanently stopped after repeated fireworks on the field,” said a statement from the Eredivisie.

A sign on the big screen at the ground had reminded Ajax fans that the ‘lighting of fireworks is prohibited’ but the message was ignored by a section of supporters.

Ajax said in a statement: “Shortly before half-time, fireworks were thrown on to the pitch, after which referee Serdar Gozubuyuk temporarily suspended the match.

“In the 56th minute, another fireworks incident took place. The referee officially suspended the match after consulting with the local authorities.”

Footage on social media showed fans kicking in revolving doors and police on horseback charging at fans.

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Ajax director of general affairs Jan van Halst said: “We currently have no clarity about how this match will be handled. We are particularly disappointed that this match turned out this way. This is very hard on the entire organisation.

“It is one of the most important matches in Dutch football and it has been stopped. That is extremely sad.

“We are trying to manage that all our guests who were here today were able to leave the stadium safely. It is a bad start to the season. We understand the disappointment. But to express it through this behaviour, we disapprove.”

The three-goal deficit heaps more pressure on Ajax coach Maurice Steijn, who is in his first season at the club after replacing John Heitinga.

Ajax had won one match, drawn two and lost one before Sunday’s game.

Santiago Giménez scored twice for defending Eredivisie champion Feyenoord before Igor Paixão made it 3-0 in the first half.

The match was definitively called off in the 55th minute when fireworks were again thrown.

It was not immediately clear when the remainder of the game would be played.

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