Was Excelsior robbed in the final minutes against Ajax? ‘In my opinion, it’s a 100 percent penalty’
Excelsior players felt robbed of a potential victory after a late-match incident involving a high boot to the face of Irakli Yegoian went unpenalized by the referee and VAR. The match against Ajax ended in a 2-2 draw, fueling ongoing debates about the efficacy of video assistant refereeing in the Dutch league.
Ajax and Excelsior recently drew 2-2 in a match where the Amsterdam side dominated with 33 attempts but struggled to secure a victory. Following the match, Excelsior attacker Irakli Yegoian expressed frustration regarding a controversial final-minute incident where he was struck in the face by Ajax defender Youri Baas. Despite Baas appearing to touch the ball, the impact left Yegoian with blood on his face, leading many to argue that a penalty should have been awarded. Yegoian maintained that it was a clear penalty, while former professional player and referee Danny Koevermans criticized the VAR system for failing to intervene in such a high-stakes moment.
Separately, similar refereeing disputes occurred during a match between Willem II and Fortuna Sittard, where a penalty appeal for Ivo Pinto was denied despite VAR review. Fortuna manager Danny Buijs voiced his intense frustration, arguing that the failure to award a clear penalty when technology is available demonstrates a lack of consistency and fairness in the officiating process.
Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
