While some sides basked in early title celebrations and others gritted their teeth as league campaigns go down to the wire, AFC Ajax commemorated another triumph in the Eredivisie by holding their face to the blast furnace.
The Amsterdam side secured an historic 35th Eredivisie title more than a week ago with a 4-0 home victory over FC Emmen. Every title win for Ajax is historic, as the most successful side in Dutch football stretched their lead in points and trophies over their nearest rivals PSV Eindhoven. Despite an emergency order which aimed to curtail gatherings on the Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and other squares and streets in the centre of Amsterdam, fans of the club still thronged outside of the Johan Cruyff Arena and lit their traditional fare of flares and fireworks.
Football seasons across Europe have taken place in front of empty stands. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so in a gesture of solidarity with their supporters, Ajax announced on Wednesday that they will melt their latest championship trophy, in the process creating 42,000 individual stars. Over the coming weeks every Ajax season ticket holder will receive one of these stars, which weigh in at 3.45 grams, with 0.06 grams coming from the trophy.
Manchester City won the Premier League without kicking a ball on Tuesday night, following the defeat of second-placed Manchester United at home to Leicester City. Over the weekend, Bayern Munich wrapped up in a ninth straight Bundesliga title in Germany. Inter Milan and Sporting Lisbon have ended their long waits for league success in Italy and Portugal respectively.
But things are still too close to call in Spain, where AtlƩtico Madrid threaten to upset the air of entitlement around Real Madrid and Barcelona, and in France where plucky Lille maintain an edge over the exorbitant wealth of Paris Saint-Germain.
