A DERBY in the Netherlands was postponed on just an hour’s notice after fans stopped a team bus from travelling to the stadium.

Vitesse were set to host local rivals De Graafschap in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football.

But the clash has now been pushed back to an unspecified date after furious visiting fans prevented their own team bus from setting off for Vitesse’s GelreDome 35 minutes away.

The fans reportedly chained their stadium gates closed to prevent their own players from leaving, delaying their arrival until it became clear the match could not be played.

Vitesse, who have previously held a close transfer relationship with Chelsea, announced the decision to postpone in a statement to X, before technical director Willem van der Linden addressed fans.

He wrote: “In the lead-up to the match, Vitesse did everything possible, in close cooperation with all parties involved, to still get the match started. Unfortunately, this proved to be unfeasible.

“We deeply regret the situation. Thousands of supporters, partners, Business Club members, and volunteers were already present in the GelreDome. We want to thank everyone for their attendance, patience, and unconditional support.”

The heated match-up – known as the Kleine Gelderse Derby due to the fact both sides are from the Gelderland region of the Netherlands – produced fireworks last year which saw the visitors’ away allocation cut down to 500.

Fan pushback on the reduction – as well as further measures which meant that fan displays had to be approved before entering the grounds – meant that the decision was made to ban travelling fans entirely.

The blocking of the bus is believed to be in protest of that decision, but has only brought the fans under more scrutiny.

The Dutch FA released a statement that read: “It is unacceptable that the Vitesse – De Graafschap match cannot go ahead in this way.

“Supporters making football impossible is completely unacceptable. In doing so, they are harming their club, their team, the sport and the thousands of supporters who do come to support football.

“The match will definitely not be played today. In accordance with the regulations, the matter will now be referred to the disciplinary bodies.

“The league board will discuss the exceptional situation further tomorrow.

“More information about the new match date and the consequences will be announced after that.”