Ajax’s Aaron Bouwman hospitalised with bruised lung after challenge that sparked mass brawl

Ajax’s Aaron Bouwman hospitalised with bruised lung after challenge that sparked mass brawl

Economy World


Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman was hospitalised with multiple injuries, including a bruised lung, after a high challenge from PSV winger Ruben van Bommel during Saturday’s Eredivisie fixture.

Ajax said in a statement that Bouwman, 19, would be sidelined for the remainder of September after suffering a bruised lung and bruising to his sternum, among “several injuries”. He remained in hospital on Sunday for observation but was expected to return home that evening.

The defender sustained the injuries following a late challenge from Van Bommel, 22, in the final stages of the league match at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Bouwman went in to clear a bouncing ball with his head before Van Bommel jumped into the challenge and his back connected with force with the Netherlands youth international in the air.

The foul sparked an angry reaction from Bouwman’s Ajax team-mates, as Van Bommel, the son of Dutch great Marc van Bommel, raised his hands in apology, and a mass brawl between the two sets of players ensued.

Van Bommel was shown a yellow card by referee Sander van der Eijk and VAR did not intervene. Bouwman was forced off and will miss at least his side’s upcoming fixtures against Fortuna Sittard, Willem II and Excelsior.

Bouwman is a graduate of the Ajax academy and broke into the first team last season.

He has made 24 senior appearances and started four of Ajax’s five Eredivisie fixtures this season.

Van Bommel joined PSV from AZ last summer and missed the majority of the 2025-26 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September. He has featured five times in the Eredivisie this season, providing two goals and three assists.

PSV won Saturday’s fixture 3-1 following goals from Ricardo Pepi, Lutsharel Geertruida and Esmir Bajraktarevic, with Tolu Arokodare on the scoresheet for the hosts.