Fourth teenager arrested over killing of linesman

Published on 08/12/2012 00:00

POLICE in the Netherlands have arrested a fourth footballer suspected of involvement in the death of a volunteer linesman at a youth match last week.

The 16-year-old was arrested on Thursday night.

His arrest came on the eve of a weekend in which all amateur matches have been cancelled across the Netherlands as a mark of respect for Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, who was attacked on Sunday after officiating at a match involving his son ­between Almere club Buitenboys and Nieuw Sloten of Amsterdam.

Mr Nieuwenhuizen died on Monday with his family at his hospital bedside.

Three other Nieuw Sloten players were arrested on the day of his death and are being held on suspicion of manslaughter, assault and public violence. The fourth suspect is a player in the same team, a police spokesman confirmed.

Mr Nieuwenhuizen’s death sent shockwaves around the Netherlands and the Buitenboys club is organising a silent march tomorrow evening as a mark of respect.

Yesterday, the Dutch football association placed full-page posters in national newspapers with the text: “Without Respect No Football.”

The association said it had drawn up the poster after being inundated by telephone calls and e-mails “from people who simply wanted to say they think things have to change. That this must never happen again”.

Dutch professional league matches this weekend will be preceded by a minute’s silence and all players and officials will wear black arm bands.