THE HAGUE - Children will be the only fans allowed to watch a Dutch Cup rematch between Ajax and AZ Alkmaar after an incident in December when a fan tried to assault AZ's goalkeeper, the Dutch football federation (KNVB) said.

An Ajax fan ran onto the pitch during a December 21 round of 16 tie in Amsterdam and tried to assault AZ goalie Esteban Alvarado.

"The Dutch Cup match on January 19 in the Amsterdam Arena will be played in the company of children," the KNVB said. "It has also been decided that access will only be given to children under the age of 12 to impress the educational nature of the match."

The KNVB initially decided that the match should be played behind closed doors but said on Tuesday that it had changed its mind "on request from Ajax".

The December 21 incident led to the Costa Rican keeper beingred-carded for twice kicking out at the fan. AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek then led his players off the pitch and the match was abandoned with Ajax leading 1-0. The fan, identified only as "Wesley van W", was sentenced to six months in jail on December 29.