AZ Coach Martens Frustrated After VAR Reverses Late Penalty

In a contentious finish to AZ Alkmaar’s 2-2 draw with Go Ahead Eagles, coach Maarten Martens expressed frustration over the reversal of a late penalty call.

Referee Richard Martens had initially awarded a penalty to AZ after Mexx Meerdink went down under a challenge from Go Ahead defender Gerrit Nauber. However, upon VAR review, which suggested Meerdink may have exaggerated contact, the referee rescinded the penalty decision.

Martens, puzzled by the reversal, said “I looked back at the footage. He whistles for a penalty because he sees contact. If you look back, you see Nauber at Mexx’s hip and foot. Mexx wouldn’t fall there without contact; he was heading straight towards the keeper. It’s incomprehensible that he reverses it. He was very close and believed it was a penalty, as Mexx was prevented from reaching the goal.”

The frustration comes amid a challenging period for AZ, who have now gone four Eredivisie matches without a win, their last victory dating back to 20 September. Reflecting on recent calls, Martens referenced last week’s red card for defender David Møller Wolfe in their 2-1 loss to PSV, adding, “We were quickly down to ten men against PSV… If we’d had a bit of luck with the penalty today, we could’ve pulled it off.”

Kramer’s ‘Blackout’ Moment Leads to Costly Penalty

Defender Joris Kramer found himself at the centre of another pivotal moment in the first half. Attempting to clear a cross, Kramer, in an uncharacteristic lapse, swatted the ball away with his hand, giving Go Ahead Eagles a penalty, which they converted to spark their comeback from 2-0 down.

Reflecting on the unusual handball, Kramer told ESPN, “Sometimes you see someone do something crazy on television, and you think at home on the couch, ‘What is he doing now?’ I think it was about the same now. It was an unconscious reflex. I immediately realised, ‘This is a penalty.’ It looked really odd, and when you’re sitting at home, you’d laugh at this. And rightly so.”

Kramer admitted the handball was entirely his own error, despite contact with AZ’s Troy Parrott just prior. “Of course, he [Parrott] uses me to time the ball, but I should never put my hand up there. It’s completely my fault,” Kramer admitted.

Go Ahead Eagles Rally for a Draw

Go Ahead Eagles showed resilience, coming back from a two-goal deficit to secure a point. After Kramer’s penalty conceded their first goal, the visitors continued to pressure AZ, eventually finding the equaliser. “We’re happy with a point, but it’s a shame we didn’t take all three,” Kramer said. “After the 2-1, you could see AZ losing their edge, while we pushed on and succeeded.”

Site Opinion

The controversial penalty reversal is a symptom of a broader issue with VAR interpretation and its impact on high-stakes decisions. Martens’ frustration highlights a key concern for managers and fans alike: the transparency and consistency of VAR interventions. In this instance, the original penalty call, made with the referee in close proximity, seemed justified from Martens’ perspective. Such decisions can unsettle a team’s rhythm, particularly when points are crucial in breaking a winless streak. As technology continues to shape modern football, maintaining clear standards for its application is essential to ensure decisions do not unfairly disrupt the flow and fairness of the game.

For Joris Kramer, the handball incident was a costly but all-too-human error. Footballers operate in high-pressure environments, and instinctive reactions are sometimes hard to control. Kramer’s honesty in acknowledging his mistake demonstrates accountability, though it does little to soften the impact on AZ’s performance. As Go Ahead capitalised on the incident, the match underscored the importance of mental clarity and composure in such high-stakes moments – qualities AZ will need to reclaim as they strive to regain momentum in the Eredivisie.