As Ajax prepare to face FC Utrecht in the playoffs for a spot in the UEFA Conference League, let's look back at the last time the Amsterdam club failed to qualify for any European competition.
When did Ajax last miss out on European football?
The most recent instance that Ajax were absent from European football was over 35 years ago, due to a suspension, while the last time a poor league finish kept them out of Europe was over sixty years ago.
The last season Ajax was absent from European club competitions was in 1990/91, however this was not a result of their performance in the league.
Instead, the club was serving a one-year ban imposed by UEFA following the infamous "iron bar incident" in September 1989.
During a UEFA Cup match against Austria Wien, an iron bar was thrown from the stands, striking the Austrian goalkeeper Franz Wohlfahrt.
This led to an automatic 3-0 defeat for Ajax and a subsequent one-year exclusion from European tournaments.
When did Ajax last fail to qualify for sporting reasons?
To find the last time Ajax missed out on European football for purely sporting reasons, we must go much further back to the 1964/65 season.
During that campaign, Ajax had a disappointing run and ultimately finished in a dismal 13th place in Eredivisie.
This performance meant they did not qualify for any European competition the following season.
The current situation, with Ajax battling in the playoffs to secure a Conference League spot, highlights the unusual position the club has found itself in recently.
For a team that has historically been a powerhouse in European football, boasting multiple UEFA Champions League/European Cup titles, the upcoming clash against Utrecht is crucial.
