Van Persie’s Frustration Boils Over After Bizarre Incident in Eredivisie Clash
In a match that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, Heerenveen manager Robin van Persie found himself at the center of a storm of controversy. The former Manchester United and Arsenal star, now at the helm of Heerenveen, was left utterly exasperated after a bizarre incident during their Eredivisie clash against Fortuna Sittard on Saturday.
The drama unfolded in the 88th minute of the match, with Heerenveen holding a slender 2-1 lead. Fortuna Sittard made a double substitution, bringing on Darijo Grujcic and Owen Johnson for Ryan Fosso and Jasper Dahlhaus. However, in a moment of confusion, Dahlhaus remained on the pitch, giving Fortuna an unfair advantage with 12 players on the field.
Van Persie, quick to notice the numerical imbalance, was seen animatedly protesting on the sidelines. Despite his efforts, the situation persisted for nearly a minute before Dahlhaus finally exited the pitch. To add insult to injury, Fortuna capitalized on the chaos, equalizing from a corner shortly after, effectively snatching two points away from Heerenveen.
In his post-match comments, Van Persie did not hold back his frustration. “I find what preceded that goal very special,” he remarked. “Fortuna Sittard had 12 men on the field for a minute before that throw-in. Apparently that is allowed and possible. You can’t imagine that? That it is simply allowed.”
Van Persie, known for his usually calm demeanor, was visibly agitated as he recounted the incident. “Normally I never talk to referees and always let them do their job, but it can’t be that they play with twelve men. That’s unthinkable. So I asked the fourth official: ‘Shouldn’t you do something about that?'”
When pressed on what he believed should be done to rectify the situation, Van Persie was clear in his stance. “For example, reverse that goal. You can’t play with twelve men against eleven. I really can’t understand that. I think this is really scandalous.”
Van Persie’s tenure at Heerenveen, which began in May last year, has seen its fair share of challenges. His side currently sits 10th in the Eredivisie after 21 games, a position that reflects both the potential and the struggles of his team.
Key Points from the Match:
- Heerenveen was leading 2-1 in the 88th minute.
- Fortuna Sittard made a double substitution, but Jasper Dahlhaus stayed on the field, resulting in 12 players for nearly a minute.
- Fortuna equalized shortly after the incident, ending the match in a draw.
- Robin van Persie expressed his frustration and called for the goal to be reversed.
This incident has sparked a wider conversation about the role of match officials and the systems in place to prevent such errors. While human error is an inevitable part of sports, the implications of such mistakes can be significant, affecting team standings and morale.
As the dust settles, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the Eredivisie and its officials respond to this unusual situation. For Van Persie and his Heerenveen side, the focus will now shift to their upcoming fixtures as they look to climb the league table and put this controversy behind them.
Originally Written by: ESPN
