Rotterdam has always been a city of energy, grit, and loyalty. The streets echo with the chants of Feyenoord supporters, the pride of South Rotterdam, and the sense of belonging that comes with standing shoulder to shoulder in De Kuip. But in recent years, a darker chapter has unfolded in that same culture of passion. A group calling itself the Rotterdam Radicals has taken the raw energy of fandom and twisted it into something far more dangerous: organized violence, intimidation, and a level of control that feels closer to gang dynamics than football support.
This story isn’t just about football. It’s about how loyalty can be manipulated, how charisma and intellect can turn into tools of domination, and how a city that thrives on resilience is now forced to confront the shadow side of its own identity.
The Rise of the Radicals
Around 2021, whispers began to circulate about a new group within the Feyenoord scene. They weren’t the old guard of hooligans, the familiar faces who had long been part of the hard core. These were younger, sharper, and more coordinated. They called themselves the Rotterdam Radicals, and they quickly made their presence felt.
Their reputation grew not just from fights in and around stadiums, but from incidents that shocked even seasoned observers. A referee was attacked during a supporters’ tournament in De Kuip. Homophobic intimidation campaigns targeted activists. And then came the night in ’s Gravendeel, a small town in the Hoeksche Waard, where police officers were trapped and attacked during a New Year’s celebration. Fireworks were launched directly at them, and metal “caltrops” were laid on the road to puncture police tires. It was the kind of violence that could easily have turned fatal.
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The Leader: An Unlikely Profile
At the center of it all stood one man: Max V., a thirty-year-old from Rijswijk. His profile didn’t fit the stereotype of a hooligan leader. He wasn’t a street brawler who rose through sheer aggression. He was educated, trained as a fiscalist and jurist, someone who could have built a respectable career in law or finance. Instead, he became the strategist of chaos.
Max V. was described in court as the “intellectual dader” – the intellectual perpetrator. He didn’t just participate; he orchestrated. He gave orders, designed intimidation campaigns, and used his charisma to dominate younger supporters. “Against him, you don’t go in,” said one of the accused in court, pointing to the fear and authority he commanded.
His double life – professional on paper, violent mastermind in reality – made him a unique and unsettling figure. It showed how intelligence and education don’t necessarily prevent someone from choosing destructive paths. In fact, they can make those paths more effective.
The Courtroom Drama
In October 2023, Max V. faced justice. The charges were serious: threats, discrimination, and involvement in riots. The evidence painted him as the brain behind spandoeken (banners) in Tirana during the Conference League final, where slogans like “Hitler our lord, gas Paul van Dorst” shocked international audiences. He was linked to the intimidation of Rotterdam’s mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and even his daughter. He was accused of orchestrating attacks on activists and of leading the violence in ’s Gravendeel.
The verdict was clear: three years in prison, plus one year suspended. In July 2024, the Court of Appeal confirmed the sentence. The judges emphasized that his actions had not only endangered lives but also dragged Feyenoord’s name into disrepute. For a club that prides itself on community and resilience, the damage was profound.
The Radicals as a “Training Ground”
What makes the Rotterdam Radicals more than just another hooligan group is the way they functioned as a kind of training ground. Their actions weren’t random outbursts. They were coordinated, planned, and executed with precision. That’s why experts worry: groups like this can serve as rehearsal spaces for more serious forms of organized crime or even political extremism.
Think about it. You have a leader with intellect and charisma, able to command loyalty. You have young followers willing to test boundaries, normalize violence, and prove themselves through obedience. You have logistics – from laying caltrops to designing banners – that show planning and foresight. Put those elements together, and you have the skeleton of something far bigger than football hooliganism.
It’s not that Max V. was proven to be working with gangsters or terrorists. There’s no evidence of that. But the skill set, the dynamics, and the willingness to escalate are exactly what make groups like the Radicals a risk factor for society at large.
Rotterdam’s Identity at Stake
Rotterdam is a city that thrives on resilience. Bombed in World War II, rebuilt with steel and concrete, proud of its working-class roots and its multicultural energy. Feyenoord embodies that spirit: the club of the people, the pride of South. But when groups like the Radicals hijack that identity, they distort what it means to belong.
Instead of loyalty and solidarity, they push fear and intimidation. Instead of passion for the game, they channel aggression into violence against police, activists, and even fellow supporters. The danger isn’t just physical; it’s symbolic. It risks turning the image of Rotterdam from a city of strength into a city of menace.
The Human Cost
Behind the headlines are real people. Police officers in ’s Gravendeel still struggle with trauma from that night. Activists like Paul van Dorst, who founded the Roze Kameraden to support LGBTQ+ fans, faced threats that went far beyond football banter. Families of those targeted by intimidation campaigns live with fear. And even within the Feyenoord community, many supporters feel betrayed by the way the Radicals dragged their club’s name through the mud.
It’s easy to talk about hooligans as faceless groups, but the reality is that their actions ripple through communities. They leave scars that don’t fade when the stadium lights go out.
Lessons for the Future
The case of the Rotterdam Radicals raises bigger questions about how societies deal with organized violence. It shows that:
- Leaders don’t always fit stereotypes. Intelligence and education can be tools for manipulation as much as for progress.
- Violence can be rehearsed and normalized in spaces that look harmless at first – football fandom, local traditions, community events.
- Cities need to protect their identities from being hijacked by those who thrive on intimidation.
For Rotterdam, the challenge is to reclaim the narrative. To show that resilience means building, not destroying. That loyalty means standing together, not tearing others down. And that passion for football can be celebrated without turning into a weapon.
A Story That Resonates Beyond Rotterdam
Why does this matter outside the Netherlands? Because the dynamics aren’t unique to Rotterdam. Across Europe and beyond, groups emerge that use sport, music, or culture as cover for organized violence. They test boundaries, recruit followers, and sometimes evolve into something far more dangerous. The Rotterdam Radicals are a case study in how quickly passion can be hijacked, and how important it is to recognize the signs before escalation reaches a point of no return.
Conclusion: Shadows and Light
Rotterdam will always be a city of energy, loyalty, and resilience. Feyenoord will always be the pride of South. But the story of the Rotterdam Radicals is a reminder that even in places built on solidarity, shadows can grow. It’s a call to understand how charisma and intellect can be misused, how violence can be rehearsed, and how communities must stay vigilant to protect what makes them strong.
The Radicals may have tried to redefine what it means to belong in Rotterdam, but the city’s true identity is bigger than them. It’s in the rebuilt skyline, the chants in De Kuip, the multicultural streets, and the everyday acts of resilience that define life here. That’s the Rotterdam that endures – and that’s the story worth telling.
Dutch Echo 
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