Adelaar steps down at Den Haag

Frans Adelaar has stepped down as coach of ADO Den Haag following fan protests in Sunday's Eredivise match against BV Vitesse.

Match suspended
The 45-year-old, who had been in charge of the Dutch side since July 2004, took the decision after fans invaded the pitch midway through the second half of Den Haag's home league match against Vitesse, forcing the game to be suspended. The visitors were leading 3-0 at the time. Den Haag are three points adrift at the bottom of the Eredivisie having collected just five points from their first 12 league games, which have brought a solitary victory.

'Deep regret'
"Den Haag are very disappointed in the small minority of supporters who seriously threatened coaches, players and officials during the home match against Vitesse," the club said in a statement. "We will do anything to make sure these persons are found and punished in a proper way. Den Haag deeply regret that a situation has been created in which the head coach can no longer function in a normal way. As a result of this Den Haag and their head coach have decided by mutual consent to end their co-operation with immediate effect." Coach Lex Schoenmaker and Adelaar's assistant Marco Gentile will take charge until a permanent replacement can be found.