MVV supporters chose the attack during the big riot August 4 this year on the Havermarkt in Breda. At least that is what the justice department said Tuesday during the hearing at the police judge in Maastricht. Nine suspects, including one minor, of open violence during the riot were in court yesterday because they disagreed with the fines and community service they had received from the justice system.

The compilation of camera footage from the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) shows how an MVV supporter is the first to throw a terrace chair toward the Breda NAC supporters. "What cannot be seen now is that beforehand four NAC supporters went to the café where the MVV supporters were sitting," lawyer Koumans says.

They, as well as the other criminal lawyers, also pointed out yesterday that the owner of Café Bruxelles, where the MVV'ers were sitting, stated that the NAC supporters came to challenge the MVV group. But the MVV'ers did not want to fight, according to the café owner. To this, the NAC supporters said they would then catch them on the way to the station, out of sight of cameras. Then the MVV'ers allegedly counted down and threw the first chair.

According to the defense, there could then have been emergency defense or emergency excess.

Because they had not received the raw footage until Friday, many criminal lawyers had insufficient preparation time. Also, unlike the judge, they did not have the video compilation: "We do need it to properly defend our clients."

After some three hours, the judge decided to hold the case indefinitely. "It indeed appears, I say emphatically appears, that the NAC supporters have challenged the MVV supporters," he said.