Van Persie’s Frustration Boils Over After Bizarre 12-Man Incident
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 forward, who took over the reins at Heerenveen in May last year, was left exasperated after match officials mistakenly allowed Fortuna Sittard to field 12 players against his side on Saturday.
The incident unfolded in the 88th minute of the game, with Heerenveen holding a narrow 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 bizarre twist, Dahlhaus did not leave the pitch and continued to play for nearly a minute.
Van Persie, quick to notice the numerical advantage, protested vehemently from the sidelines. Despite his protests, the game continued with Fortuna Sittard having an extra man on the field. Eventually, Dahlhaus stepped off, but not before Fortuna capitalized on their advantage. A minute later, they equalized through a corner, snatching a crucial point 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 calm demeanor, was visibly agitated. “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, 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.”
Heerenveen, currently sitting 10th in the Eredivisie after 21 games, will undoubtedly feel aggrieved by the incident. The points dropped could prove costly as they look to climb the league standings.
As the dust settles on this unusual episode, questions will be asked about the officiating and how such an oversight could occur. For Van Persie and his team, the focus will now shift to their next fixture, as they aim to put this controversy behind them and get back to winning ways.
- Heerenveen’s current position: 10th in the Eredivisie after 21 games.
- Incident occurred in the 88th minute with Heerenveen leading 2-1.
- Fortuna Sittard equalized shortly after the 12-man incident.
With the Eredivisie season heating up, this incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the fine margins that can define a team’s fortunes. For Van Persie, the hope will be that such an incident does not repeat itself, allowing his team to focus solely on their performances on the pitch.
Originally Written by: ESPN
