The KNVB has in the program Extra timewhich together with ESPN is being produced, images are shared of the much-discussed VAR moment during the match between PSV and Ajax (1-2). Thanks in part to the video referee, Ajax’s winning goal remained in place, despite the fact that the ball seemed to have crossed the sideline shortly before. Kevin Blom emphasizes that the VAR has acted correctly with this.
Fifteen minutes before the end, Ajax took the lead, when Mazraoui, as the end station of a smooth attack, curled the ball behind Drommel with his left leg. Before the goal, however, Blind seemed unable to keep the ball in on the sidelines. Border judge Hessel Steegstra ruled that the ball had not crossed the line and video referee Rob Dieperink was unable to prove him wrong after a few minutes of studying the images, so referee Danny Makkelie awarded the goal.
The images that are shared show how Steegstra shouts ‘inside, inside, inside’ when Blind takes the ball on the sidelines. It can then be seen how Dieperink and his assistant Erwin Zeinstra look at the images, but quickly come to the conclusion that there is no evidence that the ball has crossed the line. “I think VAR is doing an excellent job here,” says Blom. “He goes through all the camera images he has at his disposal very consistently.”
“We’re actually missing one really good camera, which is perpendicular to the line. That would be the best answer. The VAR can do nothing else than what has been decided on the field,” continues Blom. “And let’s be honest: the assistant is convinced, we can hear him clearly calling. You have to respect that.”
Blom emphasizes that it is fairly unique that these kinds of images are shown and discussed in the Netherlands. “Internationally, the guideline is very simple: things are not discussed there from UEFA, as we do here in the Netherlands. There are sometimes press conferences. Referee boss Roberto Rosetti does explain a few times a year. But you don’t see it as transparent as we do that.”