Referee Serdar Gözübüyük Under Fire After Controversial NEC–Feyenoord Call
Feyenoord are fuming after referee Serdar Gözübüyük opted against sending off NEC defender Philippe Sandler for a last-man foul on Ayase Ueda during their 1–1 Eredivisie draw. The decision, upheld after VAR review, sparked immediate outrage from the Feyenoord bench and players—and even drew criticism from teammates who didn’t feature in the match.
The Incident That Lit the Fuse
Late in the first half, Ueda broke through NEC’s backline with only goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz to beat. Sandler lunged in from behind and brought him down just outside the box. Initially, Gözübüyük showed only a yellow card. After a VAR check, he stuck with that call—arguing that because Ueda had already moved past Crettaz, there wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity denied.
That interpretation didn’t sit well with Feyenoord. Assistant coach Robin van Persie was seen yelling at the fourth official: “What is he doing?! That’s a player who’s broken through, isn’t it?! Unbelievable!” His frustration mirrored what many fans and pundits felt watching live.
Social Media Erupts
The backlash didn’t stop when the final whistle blew. Defender Anel Ahmedhodzic—who was an unused substitute—posted the clip on Instagram with the caption: “Unbelievable… With VAR involved and still getting it wrong. In what world is this not a red card?”
He wasn’t alone. A wave of Feyenoord players joined in:
- Givairo Read questioned the logic publicly
- Jordan Lotomba shared disbelief
- Gonçalo Borges called it “incomprehensible”
- Thijs Kraaijeveld highlighted recurring officiating issues
- Shaqueel van Persie echoed his father’s sideline anger
- Tsuyoshi Watanabe expressed disappointment
- Luciano Valente went furthest, labeling it “a real disgrace”
Valente added: “We’ve had plenty of moments like this this season, and sometimes we bring it on ourselves, but this has nothing to do with us anymore. It’s a straight red card, simple as that. If NEC are reduced to ten men, the game just changes.”
Referee’s Response: Silence, Then Return
Serdar Gözübüyük didn’t issue a public statement—but he did take his Instagram account offline the day after the match, likely to avoid online harassment. By Monday evening, however, his profile was back up and running, though he hasn’t commented further on the incident.
This isn’t the first time Gözübüyük has been at the center of controversy, but the coordinated response from an entire squad—including non-playing staff—shows how deeply this call stung Feyenoord, especially in a tight title race.
What the Rules Actually Say
According to IFAB Law 12, denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) requires four criteria:
- Distance between offense and goal
- General direction of play
- Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
- Location and number of defenders
Gözübüyük’s judgment hinged on point #3—he believed Ueda had already lost control by the time Sandler fouled him, since he’d passed the keeper. But critics argue that Ueda was still in position to round Crettaz and score, making it a textbook DOGSO situation.
Why This Matters Beyond One Match
Feyenoord are chasing PSV and Ajax in the Eredivisie title race. Dropping two points at home against mid-table NEC could prove costly if the season comes down to goal difference or head-to-head records. More importantly, repeated perceived injustices can affect team morale and trust in officiating—especially when multiple matches hinge on marginal calls.
Key Takeaways
- Philippe Sandler escaped a red card for a last-man foul on Ayase Ueda
- Referee Serdar Gözübüyük maintained his yellow-card decision after VAR review
- Entire Feyenoord squad, including non-playing staff, voiced outrage on social media
- Gözübüyük briefly deactivated his Instagram, signaling awareness of the backlash
- The incident reignites debate over DOGSO interpretations in modern refereeing
While no disciplinary action appears imminent against the referee, the KNVB may review the incident internally. For now, Feyenoord must regroup ahead of their crucial Eredivisie clash with FC Groningen on April 25—and hope clearer decisions follow.
— Editorial Team
