A spokesman for Go Ahead Eagles confirmed: "The game is totally postponed now because there is a fear of trouble between supporters of both teams.

"There was a problem in Deventer where about 50 or 60 people caused a lot of trouble and the police are worried some of these guys would cause trouble at this game. That's the reason the game is not going ahead.

"We were looking to play the game in Terwolde but, this morning, the major of that village said he doesn't want to take the chance after those problems.

"We are very sad about it. We asked for this game four months ago and it was all agreed and everything was good.

"Then, with three days to go, the police received information that there could be more than 100 Aberdeen fans in Holland and the game was cancelled."