The incident occurred after one hour of play, with the score standing at 0-3 in favor of Go Ahead Eagles. The match was stopped by referee Martin van den Kerkhof after fans lit fireworks, which exploded near the goal of Go Ahead goalkeeper Kjetil Haug. The fans had been expressing their discontent with the team's performance under new trainer Anthony Correia, who has seen Utrecht start the new season with a string of disappointing results.
The match was the latest setback for Utrecht, who have struggled to find their footing this season. The team has already suffered defeats against FC Groningen, AZ, and PSV, and a draw against Sparta Rotterdam. The incident has raised concerns about fan safety and the impact of their actions on the game.