“Scolding a player is not done”: referee Nathan Verboomen’s behavior causes a commotion at Cercle Brugge (Bruges)

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“I think they deserved the three points. We had our moments, but you have to take advantage of them,” Miron Muslic sounded remarkably sober after Cercle Brugge’s first defeat in the Champions’ play-offs. Yet emotions within the Association ran remarkably high both during and after the match. Head of Jut: ref Nathan Verboomen, who incurred the anger of the people of Bruges. The number of yellow cards he handed out was especially a thorn in the side of the Cercle coach. “I think the ref had some bad moments. Hannes immediately got a yellow card while he simply reacted in surprise. Nathan (Verboomen, ed.) initially had everything under control, but eventually he handed out five yellow cards. As a result, we will also miss Daland on Wednesday because he took his third yellow card. That is also a learning moment for us, this happens to Toby (Alderweireld, red.) not.”

Cercle captain Hannes Van der Bruggen also reflected on Verboomen’s performance: “My yellow card was really ridiculous. I have to take that corner, but I don’t say anything at all. I actually thought it was just a mistake and I was in my hands. Suddenly he waves a yellow card. Plus, and I think so not done: I don’t think you should insult players. No, I’m not going to say what he said, but it’s not the first time either. I’m very angry about that. I sometimes argue with a ref, but I never use a swear word,” Van der Bruggen clearly became irritated. Inquiries taught us that Verboomen would have addressed the 30-year-old midfielder as ‘fool’. “You just don’t do that. Maybe fatigue played a role as it was deep in the second half. Although I think that as a ref you always have to set an example.”

The last word ultimately belonged to Muslic, who had to work hard to reorganize his battered defense in the run-up to the match’s visit to Anderlecht. “I have no idea how I will put together our defense then. Utkus is injured, just like Popovic and Daland is also suspended.” So it will be a puzzle for the ever distinguished Muslic: “We have to accept this first defeat in Play-off 1. After the break we gradually lost the momentum and then you also saw the surplus of experience and quality with them.”