The 30-year-old swapped Ajax for Feyenoord in 2014 and has been dealing with aggressive behaviour from fans since the move
Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst says he has “no words” to describe the threats goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer has endured at the hands of bitter Ajax fans.
Having crossed the Klassieker divide in 2014, Vermeer is seen as a traitor by sections of his former club's supporters, with some even likening the goalkeeper to the Dutch NSB political party, who supported the Germans in World War II.
The aggressive taunting has come to a head recently, however, with an effigy of the 30-year-old being hung by the neck appearing in the Amsterdam ArenA during the clubs' most recent meeting on February 7, a demonstration that was seen as a death threat.
Just days later, footage emerged of Dutch darts fans showing off signs reading “Hang Kenneth Vermeer” and “Vermeer NSB” during a broadcast in Newcastle on Thursday.
With the threats against Vermeer now having bled into other sports, Feyenoord coach Van Bronckhorst has spoken out in his player's defence.
"I have no words for people in our society that want to hurt Kenneth,” he told a press conference. “It is unbelievable that they would do something like this.
"A lot has happened around Kenneth in the last week. First there was the doll in the Amsterdam ArenA, now there are the signs on TV at a darts event. I admire Kenneth. I watch how he is doing every day, and how he keeps himself. He is not only a fantastic keeper but also a great man.
"It's sad that he has to go through this. And let's face it, of course it affects someone. If you personally experience things like Kenneth has experienced at the stadium in Amsterdam, it can affect you. I think we'd all feel that if we were to go through this.
"Everyone handles it differently. But these are not natural things that just happen. These are issues that can have a big impact on a person."
Feyenoord, who handed the 26-year-old man responsible for the hanging effigy an immediate stadium ban, have vowed to help Vermeer pursue legal action against those involved at the Premier League darts in Newcastle.
- Goal