Excelsior saw a chance for three points in Amsterdam vanish due to a controversial refereeing decision on Saturday evening. The match ended 2-2, but the uncalled penalty for Marinus Dijkhuizen's side has led to calls for the KNVB to intervene.

Referee Jannick van der Laan did not whistle when Ajax's Youri Baas made a high challenge on Irakli Yegoian in the penalty area during the second half. The Video Assistant Referee also did not intervene, sparking immediate outrage after the final whistle. Former international Danny Koevermans reacted strongly on ESPN. "Je moet de VAR afschaffen. Ga gewoon op het oordeel van de scheids af en klaar," Koevermans said. Former referee Mario van der Ende was equally adamant on social media. "Dit is een strafschop," he wrote.

The denied penalty potentially cost Excelsior two extra points in the fight for European football. The team currently sits seventh in the Eredivisie with eleven points from seven matches. A victory at the Johan Cruijff ArenA could have narrowed the gap to the top five. Instead, they had to settle for a draw, their second in a row after a 2-2 result against NEC. The full standings show Excelsior trailing leaders AZ by eight points.

The match timeline showed the missed opportunity. Julian Brandt opened the scoring for Ajax after thirty-two minutes. Lennard Hartjes equalised in first-half stoppage time. After the break, Aymen Sliti, scoring his third league goal this season, put Excelsior ahead. Two minutes later, Tolu Arokodare levelled the score again. Excelsior goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel kept his team in the game thereafter.

The KNVB is facing pressure from various quarters to improve refereeing standards. On social media, even Ajax fans demanded a replay with a different referee, a rare reaction from the home side. The debate touches on broader concerns about the consistency of officiating in the Eredivisie this season. For Excelsior, the matter is not closed. The team is preparing for its next home match against FC Groningen on October 11th, a direct rival in the mid-table. The upcoming fixtures are key to consolidating a top-ten position. The squad, with Sliti as the current top scorer, can be viewed on our squad page. Dijkhuizen's side ends the international break with a run of two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five league matches.

Further reading: Soccernews.nl