FC Groningen encountered a defeat in a very painful way on a visit to Sparta Rotterdam. For a long time, the game seemed to end in a draw, but Vito van Crooij decided differently in the final phase from eleven meters. However, the penalty kick was highly debatable, according to the images. Arbiter Danny Makkelie was also called to the side by the VAR, but decided to stick to his decision.
Tobias Lauritsen, the striker of Sparta, escaped on the left side of the field and was confronted on the edge of the penalty area with a tackle from Mike te Wierik. Lauritsen seemed to jump over Te Wierik’s legs, not to be hit and then to collapse to the ground, but arbitrator Makkelie decided to point to the spot. The VAR then took the guide to the screen to take another good look, but that did not help. Makkelie stuck to his decision, Groningen was furious and Van Crooij decided the game: 2-1.
A late win for @SpartaRotterdam! Was the penalty for the Rotterdam team justified?#spagro pic.twitter.com/KcWVZxlUnP
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 17, 2022
Earlier, a goal by Sparta, by Adil Auassar, was rejected for offside. VAR was needed for that. In the second half, Groningen took the lead via Ricardo Pepi, after which Sven Mijnans headed the equalizer against the ropes. Makkelie’s very questionable decision in injury time meant that the three points remained at Het Kasteel and the guests from the far north got on the bus with a feeling of injustice.