The KNVB put an end to the Eredivisie match between Go Ahead Eagles and RKC Waalwijk at the very last minute on Friday evening. Players from both clubs were already extensively involved in the warm-up, when it was decided to cancel the game. The reason given was safety, which could be compromised. The decision leads to anger and misunderstanding towards the KNVB. ESPN, which reportedly wanted the game to continue at all costs, can also count on criticism.
Both the Eredivisie and the Kitchen Champion Division were affected by the harsh weather conditions on Friday evening. In Deventer, the kick-off between Go Ahead Eagles and RKC Waalwijk was supposed to be at 8 p.m., but referee Jochem Kamphuis moved this to 8:45 p.m. In the end, the referee had to draw a line through the game just before 9 p.m. when it turned out that it was not safe enough for the players. A collection date has not yet been announced.
Go Ahead Eagles – RKC Waalwijk is canceled ? “We have had to conclude that it is irresponsible to continue the game”
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 10, 2023
Go Ahead reported at just before seven o’clock last night that the game would ‘definitely go ahead’. Subsequently, the starting time was moved to 8:30 PM and 8:45 PM, after which the game was finally finished at 9:00 PM. “Roads can be slippery, stands parts can be slippery and dress warmly”, the Deventer club told its supporters prior to the game. Both captains, both trainers and Kamphuis jointly decided to draw the conclusion that it was not responsible.
Mario Been, among others, spoke up ESPN his incomprehension about the state of affairs. “I think it took me almost three hours to get here,” said the analyst. “It was hectic. When I came here and made a video of the field, I could not imagine that we would play football. Balls lie still, shoot through, players slip, you get crazy scenes. Then they let the audience come here. Hence the lashing whistle concert. Those people have to go back home and we’ve all seen how slippery it is.”
Been believes that insufficient consideration has been given to the supporters. “We had to hold on to not fall when we came down the stairs,” he told presenter Fresia Cousiño Arias before the match. “How do supporters deal with this? That is actually not taken into account. Go Ahead said that the first seven rows could not be used. I also think the safety of the players is very important. During the warm-up you already saw balls crashing down and Don’t roll. Nowadays we have little room to catch up on games. You have to ask yourself what kind of game you get,” said Been when the game still seemed to go on.
Oosting response
Prior to the match, Joseph Oosting could not imagine that football was going to be played. The RKC trainer was in traffic jams with his team several times on the way to Deventer. His prediction turned out to be correct. “For me, the safety of the players is paramount,” said Oosting ESPN. “I have a question mark about that. We have also indicated that. If the field sees, the ball sticks or shoots through. Players will either be very careful or go full house with slidings and things like that. It’s just dangerous, simple as that is the.”
There is also misunderstanding on Twitter. “Haha, what a joke again,” someone responds to the tweet from the KNVB about the cancellation. “Everyone and everything went there. A referee who definitively says it will continue. Fans went all the way to Deventer. Will it still be cancelled.” Sports reporter Yvonne van Beek of the Brabants Dagblad calls it “a soap opera” and “unbelievable fumbling.” Reporter Chris Tempelman from Football International also blames the KNVB and ESPN. “A bad move by delaying the decision. Thinking logically would have been more convenient.”