De Graafschap fans gathered outside their club's stadium in Doetinchem early on Sunday and blocked the team bus, Dutch media reported, according to BBC Sport. The bus never left for the game at Vitesse's GelreDome stadium. The Dutch Football Association then called off the match and referred the matter to its disciplinary bodies.
The fans were angry about a decision to bar away supporters from the derby. In a statement on Saturday, Vitesse said it had made the call "based on police information and after extensive consultation with all involved security partners." The club had proposed 500 away places, down from the standard 800. The offer came with conditions, including checks on fan paraphernalia before supporters arrived.
Vitesse said the club, the police and the municipality had offered De Graafschap several options in recent weeks. But it said some supporters insisted on bringing paraphernalia in a way that broke the agreements. Vitesse also pointed to "serious disturbances" around the 2025-26 edition of the fixture, when De Graafschap fans were also banned.
The football association condemned the fans in strong terms. "That supporters making football impossible is completely intolerable," it said. It added that such fans harm their club, their team, the sport and the thousands who come for the football.
De Graafschap had earlier said it did "not recognize the picture" Vitesse painted of its club and fans. It called that portrayal unacceptable. After the cancellation, the club said it was "shocked by the incident". It said it would let emotions settle and get the full picture before saying more.
Vitesse director Willem van der Linden called the cancellation a "major disappointment". He said the club had done everything possible to get the match started. No new date has been set. Van der Linden said the plan was to play the game "under the same circumstances". Vitesse sit 10th in the table and De Graafschap 15th. The two clubs are based less than 20 miles apart.