While it was intended to have an educational function, training its resident to integrate into society and eventually move out of Ondiep, this seldom happened, adding to the district's reputation as a ghetto within Utrecht.

Mulder had previously reported nuisance caused by young loiterers, but both the municipality and the police failed to respond to his complaints.

The closure was due to police reports that potential rioters, known as "riot tourists," from both within and outside of Utrecht were planning to visit the area, which the mayor hoped to prevent with her measure.

The officer who shot Mulder was acquitted, as the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie; OM) believed that she had no chance to escape and had acted in self-defense.

The club's home ground is the "Sportpark Wesley Sneijder", named after the famous football player who was born and raised in the Ondiep neighborhood.