Scandal in the Dutch Championship: Fortuna Played with 12 Players
The 21st round match of the Dutch Championship between Heerenveen and Fortuna Sittard became a true sensation, but not because of beautiful play or an unexpected result. The main event was a blatant refereeing mistake that allowed one team to play with numerical superiority — but not in the usual 11 vs. 10 format, but rather 12 vs. 11!
How Did This Happen?
In the match's final minutes, with the score at 2-1 in favor of Heerenveen, Fortuna head coach Danny Buijs made a double substitution. However, a critical mistake occurred: one of the substituted players, Jasper Dahlhaus, did not leave the pitch, and the team briefly played with 12 men. Fortuna earned a corner kick during this time, from which Rodrigo Guth equalized the score.
The referees overlooked the violation, and VAR, which should have flagged the issue, did not react. The mistake has caused an uproar among players, fans, and analysts.
Robin van Persie's Reaction
Heerenveen head coach Robin van Persie was furious after the final whistle:
"This is simply a scandal! This should never happen in professional football. We have VAR and clear rules, but somehow, a team plays with 12 players, and no one notices? This defies common sense!"
Van Persie also emphasized that this incident undermines confidence in the refereeing system:
"I don’t know what consequences this match will have, but if we allow things like this to happen, we might throw the rulebook away. I hope the federation reviews this case and takes action."
Possible Consequences
The Dutch Football Association has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Whether a rematch will be ordered or the refereeing team will face any sanctions remains unclear.
This case is already being discussed in European media and football circles. If the refereeing body does not take action, it could become one of the biggest officiating scandals in Eredivisie history.
We will continue to follow the developments!
Published by Patrick Jane
04.02.2025