Cambuur coach Plat furious over denied late penalty in Fortuna defeat

SC Cambuur coach Johan Plat was left furious after his side were denied a stoppage-time penalty during Saturday’s 3-1 Eredivisie defeat at Fortuna Sittard. With Fortuna leading 2-1, goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst missed the ball and caught Nicolas Binder on the head with his arm.

Referee Martin van den Kerkhof did not award a spot-kick and was not sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR. Plat told ESPN, in comments reported by Voetbalzone, that he believed the incident left “no discussion possible” and also questioned why the referee was not asked to review it. Cambuur forward Rafik El Arguioui and analyst Kees Luijckx likewise considered it a penalty.

Fortuna had taken a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes through Philip Brittijn and Lequincio Zeefuik. El Arguioui then pulled one back, after which Cambuur enjoyed the better of the play and created several major opportunities. The visitors were unable to equalise before Fortuna eventually completed a 3-1 win.

Despite his anger over the decisive refereeing call, Plat saw progress from the previous week’s 4-0 loss to Excelsior. He felt Cambuur played well in spells and defended better aside from the moments that produced Fortuna’s goals. The coach also said he had received assurances that further signings would arrive and suggested two, three or four additions could strengthen a squad he already believes is capable of remaining in the Eredivisie.