The Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles match on February 23, 2025, ended without goals, but the main topic of discussion was not the players on the pitch but the referee, Joey Kooij. From early on, Kooij's officiation was at the center of fan scrutiny, primarily due to some contentious decisions, including the early yellow card issued to Go Ahead Eagles' Gerrit Nauber. Nauber was cautioned after he walked away nonchalantly following a foul on Ajax's Brian Brobbey, which sparked criticism over Kooij's handling of the game.
Fans quickly took to social media to voice their opinions on Kooij’s performance, expressing sentiments ranging from disbelief to outright anger. One user, Tijmen van Wissing, remarked on Kooij's ability to dominate the conversation, stating, "Joey Kooij, who is having a good season, is back to his old form. Nauber might as well be substituted because you can feel he’s being targeted ever since Kooij got to referee again in Amsterdam." These comments encapsulate the mixed feelings about Kooij, especially considering his controversial reputation.
While the referee seemed to pick up on reactions from the fans and players, many spectators felt he attracted more ire than focus on the match itself. "It’s the Joey Kooij Show at halftime with the score 0-0," tweeted Wouter Foppen, showcasing the annoyance among supporters as the match progressed. This encapsulated the atmosphere within the Johan Cruijff ArenA, often replacing the excitement of the game with bewilderment at Kooij’s decisions.
Supporters took to various platforms to point out Kooij's refereeing style, with some calling it bizarre. "What Kooij has compared to other referees is the ability to frustrate both clubs and fans. He really is quite dreadful," tweeted Mitchel de Groot. Other tweets humorously suggested extreme measures to avoid Kooij officiation, with one fan humorously proposing to offer Calvin Stengs a lifetime contract just to prevent Kooij from officiate at his games again.
Despite the criticism, Kooij maintained his position as the match continued, and the anticipation was palpable among fans for what other decisions he might make. "It's just waiting for Nauber to receive another card for no reason at all," tweeted Peet, leading to speculations about Kooij's future officiation across Dutch football.
Historically, Kooij has faced stern criticisms, particularly from Ajax supporters. He does possess the ability to elicit intense reactions, often finding himself at the center of attention—although he may prefer it be for his officiation rather than public outrage. Kooij's connections to the city of Rotterdam have barred him from officiation games involving Feyenoord, allowing room for criticism to blossom when he’s placed center stage at other matches.
Overall, this match against Go Ahead Eagles demonstrated again how certain referees like Joey Kooij can become lightning rods for fan sentiment, sometimes overshadowing the spirit of the match itself. The match ended without goals, but the legacy of Joey Kooij's officiation surely continued well beyond the 90 minutes of play.