The KNVB, the governing body for football (soccer) in the Netherlands, made headlines recently by reversing two controversial red cards from the latest round of Eredivisie matches, highlighting the increasing scrutiny faced by referees this season.
Both red cards were issued during matches this past weekend, sparking debate over the application of rules by match officials. The reversals mean Bas Kuipers from FC Twente and Thijmen Blokzijl from FC Groningen will not face any suspension, allowing both players to participate actively in their teams’ upcoming fixtures.
Kuipers was sent off during the match against SC Heerenveen after stepping on the foot of opposing player Alireza Jahanbakhsh, which led referee Jeroen Manschot to issue the red card without hesitation. Kuipers recounted, "I thought I could get the ball, but I was too late. I came down on his foot," expressing his surprise at the severity of the decision. Coach Joseph Oosting echoed this sentiment, stating, "Red was definitely exaggerated. This was purely a football action. Such things happen; you don’t intentionally step on someone’s foot." The incident significantly impacted the game’s momentum, with FC Twente struggling to maintain their previous lead before eventually ending the match with a 3-3 draw.
On the other hand, Blokzijl received his red card after the intervention of VAR during his match against NEC. Although initially allowing play to continue, referee Martin van den Kerkhof reviewed the footage and concluded Blokzijl had brought down NEC player Sami Ouaissa, resulting in his ejection. The KNVB later clarified the card was rescinded because there was not "sufficient and regulatory evidence to conclude there was a clear goal-scoring opportunity," underscoring the complexity of officiate decisions and VAR's role.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, FC Groningen managed to secure victory over NEC, winning the match 2-1, demonstrating resilience. These results raise questions about the impact of red cards not only on individual matches but on teams’ overall strategy and morale. The KNVB's prosecutor’s decisions reflect their commitment to fairness and accuracy, especially as referee errors have increasingly come under fire this season.
Indeed, this is not the first time officiate decisions have sparked controversy. Recently, the KNVB was embarrassed by incorrect offside calls, such as the one during PEC Zwolle’s match against RKC Waalwijk, where a perfectly legitimate goal was disallowed. More comically, Fortuna Sittard fielded twelve players for nearly 20 seconds during their match against SC Heerenveen before the error was caught and corrected. Such lapses have raised public concern about the competence and consistency of referees.
Looking forward, both teams have their next challenges lined up: FC Twente will face RKC Waalwijk at home, hoping to capitalize on their previous experiences and fix their defensive lapses, whilst FC Groningen will make the trip to Tilburg for their battle against Willem II. Both managers are undoubtedly thankful for the removal of the red cards, which could have disrupted their line-ups and strategic planning.
These incidents shed light on the continuing debates surrounding the use of VAR, the decision-making process of referees, and the importance of achieving accuracy within football officiation. With several high-stakes matches on the horizon, the KNVB, referees, and teams alike are keeping their eyes peeled, hoping to avoid any more high-profile mistakes.
While it remains to be seen how future matches will unravel, one thing is clear: the dynamics of football are forever shifting, often reflected through the lens of officiate decisions and their consequences on both the teams’ performances and the overall integrity of the sport.