Feyenoord ultras defy fireworks ban... by shooting fireworks into own stadium (VIDEO)

A section of supporters of Dutch side Feyenoord who protested a ban on lighting fireworks inside the De Kuip stadium are thought to be behind a torrent of fireworks which were shot into the stadium during a game on Thursday.

The Rotterdam side's fixture with Heerenveen was interrupted by projectiles which were fired into the stadium from outside the ground, which are thought to have been courtesy of supporters who had been banned from the stadium for lighting fireworks inside the ground.

As reported by De Telegraf, part of the 'S' section inside the De Kuip stadium, which is known to house some of the more 'hardcore' Feyenoord support, was closed for Thursday's game as apparent punishment for fireworks which emerged from that section during a recent cup semi-final against Ajax.

To show their displeasure at being temporarily banned from their own club's stadium, some of the supporters are understood to have shot fireworks onto the pitch from outside of the ground, causing the game to be stopped.

Fireworks and flares have been a common fixture in Continental European games, though football's governing bodies and domestic associations have attempted to stamp the practice out in recent seasons.

It appears, though, that it is not just the Feyenoord ultras who are unhappy about the club's decision to prohibit the use of fireworks inside their stadium, as various other sections of the stadium were also vacant in an apparent act of solidarity with the supporters who had been banned from the stadium.

The stoppage didn't distract Feyenoord too much, as they wound up 3-0 winners on the night.