Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 3:13 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 15:16

Refereeing boss Dick van Egmond has recorded it for Siemen Mulder the day after the loaded match between Willem II and ADO Den Haag (1-1). The arbitrator on duty was by far the most talked about man on the field after a number of questionable decisions. According to Van Egmond, this is mainly because the viewer at home does not always get to see what the VAR sees. The referee affairs coordinator does not fail to assist his colleague.

In the nineteenth minute Willem II thought to take the lead after a striking header by Wesley Spieringhs from a corner kick. The goal, however, was rejected by Mulder, who rebuked a slight push by Kwasi Wriedt on goalkeeper Martin Fraisl. The images from the VAR show that Willem II’s attacker is indeed pushing in the direction of Fraisl. “Things are poorly portrayed on television”, Van Egmond tells the NOS. “The VAR always monitors crucial decisions. And the referee can always call him to the side if the situation turns out to be very different from what was initially assessed. ”

Later in the first half, Ricardo Kishna broke through, after which the ADO attacker was hit from behind by Sebastian Holmén, but Mulder didn’t think it worth a penalty. The referee gave Tomislav Gomelt red on the stroke of half time, after the ADO midfielder kicked Wriedt down out of frustration, with no intention of playing the ball. After the break Willem II received a debatable penalty and the home team had to continue with ten men after a second yellow card for Jordens Peters. “If I’m very honest, I think the first yellow card for Peters is just a bit too hard. And you didn’t hear anyone about that afterwards.”

The fact that the images of the VAR cannot also be seen at home by viewers has to do with broadcasting rights. Van Egmond therefore often finds the criticism of Mulder unjustified. “Many of our top players are now abroad for European duels. But Siemen is also a top player, who has been whistling at the highest level for years. ” Mulder made sure with his decisions that a unique event took place on Wednesday evening. Both teams received a red card and a penalty kick, which last occurred in the Eredivisie in December 2014 in the match between FC Groningen and sc Heerenveen (1-1).