Allard Lindhout thinks that Ajax was denied a clear goal against FC Utrecht on Thursday. The referee rejected a goal from Davy Klaassen, after linesman Bas van Dongen claimed offside and his decision was not reversed by the VAR. “My feeling is very close to that”, Lindhout responds to the question ESPN whether Ajax scored a valid goal.
In the video images, Klaassen seemed to be on a par with Mark van der Maarel when he was served by Edson Álvarez, but the flag signal from linesman Bas van Dongen remained after video referee Clay Ruperti had watched the images. “It is certainly a very difficult one. for the arbitration on the field as the VAR “, says Lindhout when seeing the images. “The players are very close to each other.” He has doubts about the frequently shared image of the match broadcast. “This camera is not completely perpendicular and that makes it difficult. The VAR has done its job with the resources it had. The decision on the field for offside has remained.”
Would Lindhout prefer to be called to the side? “Being called is according to protocol for factual decisions. This should be such a factual decision. I feel that they are very close to each other,” said Lindhout. Since the margin between both players was within ten centimeters, the decision of the arbitration on the field was not made overruled. “But if the assistant had awarded a goal, lines would have been drawn and that decision would have stood”, Lindhout said. “There is a margin because there is no proof, but my feeling goes with you.”
Lindhout awarded a penalty to Utrecht in the opening phase after a foul by Nicolás Tagliafico on Gyrano Kerk. The left back started his sliding too late, did not hit the ball and saw how Lindhout pointed to the spot after watching the images. Tagliafico did not get a yellow card. “This is not a scoring chance and the offense is not of a certain degree of recklessness. Then you can live with the penalty kick.”