Sparks fly over threat to cut power at Dutch match

1 September 2006

AMSTERDAM — Economic Affairs Minister Joop Wijn has lashed out at power company workers who have threatened to cut electricity during Wednesday’s European Cup qualification match between the Netherlands and Belarus.

Wijn said cutting the lights at PSV Eindhoven’s stadium for the match would be “totally improper in a process of democratic decision-making”.

Energy companies and their employees should think of their clients, he said, and “not try to get their own way on the back of the football-loving television viewer.”

LME, the central organisation of workers councils in the energy industry, notified the Dutch soccer federation KNVB on Thursday evening that workers of the four major power companies will cut electricity in and around the stadium during the soccer international.

It is a protest against the plan to split up the generation and distribution activities of the power companies. MPs have already voted in favour of the legislation and now the matter is before the Senate.

A spokesperson for Minister Wijn said the protest will have no influence on the passage of the legislation.

PSV reacted with amazement to the news of the protest. The football club has sought talks will the main parties. But a club official could not say on Friday whether PSV will play a role in the legal action the football federation is taking to stop the LME’s action.

Subject: Dutch news