The row over the decision by Utrecht’s mayor to ban Ajax supporters from the next Utrecht-Ajax tie in December is rumbling on, and questions have now been raised in parliament.

Utrecht was fined by the Dutch football association for anti-semetic chanting the last time the two clubs met and was ordered to close part of the stadium where hard-core fans sit.

However, because there is nothing to stop supporters buying tickets for other parts of the stadium, mayor Jan van Zanen decided to ban all Ajax fans instead to head off trouble.

VVD MP Foort van Oosten told news website Nu.nl he is concerned Van Zanen cannot keep hooligans out of the stadium during the game.

‘I want to know from the minister why the mayor is unable to keep the bad guys out of the stadium so that normal supporters can enjoy the match,’ Van Oosten said. ‘I get the impression he does not have enough powers to separate the wheat from the chaff.’

Van Oosten said the mayor is sending out the wrong signal to people guilty of racist or anti-semetic chanting by allowing them to watch the game but banning Ajax supporters.

Labour MP Ahmed Marcouch said football clubs should take responsibility for their actions. ‘The law offers enough options to ban troublemakers from the games and to punish them,’ Marcouch said.

The issue will come up at Wednesday’s debate between MPs and justice minister Ard van der Steur, Nu.nl says.