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Ajax melt down league trophy to make "champion stars" for supporters

Ajax melt down league trophy to make
© Reuters
Each star weighs 3.45 grams, 0.06 of which has come from the silverware.

Ajax have melted down their Eredivisie trophy in order to share the title with supporters who missed out on the success because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The newly crowned Dutch league winners have created over 42,000 "champion stars" from the silverware, which will be distributed to the club's season-ticket holders.

Each star weighs 3.45 grams, 0.06 of which has come from the trophy.

Ajax general director Edwin Van Der Sar told the club's website: "This season, we have largely had to play without our fans.

"Well, without them sitting in the stands, at least. Despite this, we have felt their support every week.

"On the way to the stadium, on social media and in our personal contacts.

"Previously, when we said 'this title is for you' we were expressing how we were doing it for the fans. However, sharing the trophy is the ultimate proof that we really are.

Chelsea v Ajax – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Stamford Bridge
Ajax chief executive Edwin Van Der Sar says sharing the trophy is the "ultimate proof" the title is for the fans (John Walton/PA)

"After a turbulent year, we are ensuring our fans feel part of our championship."

Ajax comfortably claimed a 35th Eredivisie title this season and lead second-placed PSV Eindhoven by 14 points with two games remaining.

Erik Ten Hag's side have played 30 of their 34 league matches in empty stadiums due to Covid-19.

Netherlands Soccer Eredivisie
Ajax fans celebrated outside the Johan Cruyff Arena as their team clinched the title on Sunday, May 2 (Peter Dejong/AP)

Ajax captain Dusan Tadic said: "Playing in an empty stadium doesn't compare with an atmospheric Johan Cruyff Arena.

"We have really missed our supporters over the past season here in Amsterdam and during all our matches.

"We therefore want to dedicate this title to our fans and can't wait to play in front of them again."

The Dutch Football Association has given Ajax a second trophy as an exception due to the pandemic.

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General view of Manchester United's Old Trafford taken August 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPSV EindhovenPSV332841108208888
2Feyenoord33256288266281
3FC Twente33206767353266
4AZ AlkmaarAZ33197767363164
5Ajax331510872591355
6NECNijmegen331311964501450
7FC UtrechtUtrecht331310104644249
8Sparta RotterdamSparta33137134947246
9Go Ahead Eagles331110124545043
10Heerenveen33107165268-1637
11Fortuna SittardSittard33910143756-1937
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13Almere CityAlmere City33713133255-2334
14Heracles3395194174-3332
15RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk3378183753-1629
16SBV ExcelsiorExcelsior33611165069-1929
RFC VolendamVolendam3347223386-5319
RVitesse3365222872-445


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