Back to the moment of the evening. In the second half, PSV winger Noa Lang receives a ball in the 16-meter area. When he’s almost at the
back line, Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer makes a tackle. On the ball, say the Feyenoorders. In the footsteps of Lang, say the PSV players.
Referee Dennis Higler sees no penalty and whistles for a goal kick.
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Role of the VAR
But fortunately there is still a VAR, many PSV supporters may have thought. At such moments the possible violation is identified
all corners mapped out by the video referee in Zeist. Advice is then given to the referee on the field. If the VAR considers it a penalty or has doubts, the referee will be called to the VAR screen.
Only last night this didn’t happen. To the anger of everything PSV, including coach Peter Bosz:
Referee Dennis Higler decided afterwards not to provide any clarification in front of the ESPN camera.
Level
It is clear to former referee Mario van der Ende. “I thought it was a penalty. Especially from the camera point of view behind the goal
good to see that Wieffer hits Lang’s foot.”
It is unclear to Van der Ende how this could have happened and he reacts strongly: “You used to have an advertisement for it
the army: suitable or unsuitable. In this case it is crystal clear that the referee and VAR are unfit to act at this level. Everything
has to do with quality. And if you don’t have the courage to call the referee to the VAR screen in the swirling Kuip, then you are
not suitable.”
KNVB: situation is being evaluated
This situation is being evaluated by the referee affairs department. The match, like other matches, will also be evaluated in consultation with all referees, who meet once in a while.
According to Van der Ende, such an incident with VAR should not occur at this level. “Arbitration has so many tools, they should not be used
discussion.” In addition to the VAR and the referee, Van der Ende also holds the KNVB responsible. “They guide the referees and
they appointed. They may also scratch their heads.”
To the judge?
VAR is not only under discussion in the Netherlands. In Belgium, the two Belgian clubs, Club Brugge and Racing Genk, even filed a lawsuit due to incidents with the VAR. Club Brugge did this because of a goal wrongly disallowed for offside. RC Genk did this because
a player would have taken a penalty too early. The other team also did this, but only the Genk player was penalized.
Although there is no ruling yet, this may also be an option for Dutch clubs. But according to PSV spokesperson Sanne Clements, that is unthinkable. “Going to court? We are absolutely not going to do that. It is just a great pity. If the situation had been properly assessed, then
it would have been a penalty and then Wieffer might have received a red card. But it happened and we’re back to focusing on the match
next Saturday in Almere. And we are going for the championship and want to get as far as possible in the Champions League.”
