When KNVB cancelled the rest of the Dutch season, after it had been suspended in March because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ajax were leading AZ in the standings on goal difference.

That prompted KNVB to award Ajax the automatic Champions League spot normally reserved for the Dutch champions, while AZ would have to try and qualify for a lucrative spot through the preliminary knockout rounds.

The Netherlands is one of a handful of European countries to abort the rest of the season after the country went into lockdown due to the pandemic. As a result, no title was awarded and no team was relegated.

AZ believe they should have been made the top placed team as they had beaten Ajax both home and away in the league this season.

“Goal difference is no objective differentiator,” the club wrote to Uefa, several media reported.

But KNVB said they did not plan to change their decision.

“Uefa have informed KNVB and referred AZ to us,” KNVB spokesman Jaap Paulsen said on Monday.

“We have informed AZ that nothing has changed. We decided the places in European club competition next season on the basis of three criteria: transparency, objectivity and sportsmanship. We are keeping the rankings and Ajax are No 1.”