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Steven Berghuis facing two-match suspension for fan assault

Ajax midfielder Steven Berghuis is facing the prospect of being handed a two-match suspension, according to De Telegraaf.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a decent campaign, racking up 18 direct goal contributions in 29 league games, but his season ended controversially.

Berghuis publicly assaulted a fan shortly after his side’s clash against FC Twente on May 28, when they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat despite opening the scoring just past the half-hour mark.

That drew the curtain on a disastrous campaign which saw Ajax relinquish their Eredivisie crown to Feyenoord, finish third in the standings and miss out on Champions League football for the first time in 14 years.

While he already publicly apologised for his actions, Berghuis has since been fined internally by Ajax.

“I regret my action – I should not have done this,” Berguis said (via the Daily Mail).

“After every away game, we get a lot of curses thrown at us at the bus, while we make time to hand out autographs to fans who ask for it.

“I am used to it now, but people think they can shout anything – my response does not solve anything, I understand that.

“It is not good – I have an exemplary function as an Ajax player.”

Berghuis picked up a yellow card against Twente – his fifth of the campaign – ruling him ineligible for next season’s opening fixture.

However, Berghuis could be out of action even further as he currently runs the risk of incurring an additional suspension, having been charged by the prosecutor arm of Dutch football’s governing body.

Berghuis has until noon on Monday to accept or oppose the KNVB’s proposed two-game ban, after which a disciplinary committee will be consulted if he opposes.

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