FC Groningen to address Vaessen’s conduct after red card at AZ

FC Groningen will work with Etienne Vaessen on controlling his reactions after the goalkeeper was sent off late in Sunday’s 4-3 Eredivisie defeat at AZ. Referee Jannick van der Laan dismissed Vaessen after showing him two yellow cards during the closing stages in Alkmaar.

The incident followed the award of a penalty that Groningen’s players believed was incorrect. Captain Thijmen Blokzijl said teammates tried to keep Vaessen away from the referee, but the goalkeeper subsequently appeared to say something that resulted in his second booking. Blokzijl acknowledged the frustration while making clear that Vaessen needed to handle the situation better.

Lukkien spoke to the goalkeeper immediately after the match. The coach said Vaessen had apologised and recognised that his response was unacceptable. “This does not fit the normal behaviour we stand for,” Lukkien said, as quoted by De Telegraaf. He added that regardless of whether the penalty decision was right, arguing with the referee was a battle the player could not win.

The coach also acknowledged that this was not an isolated concern. The report cited Vaessen’s involvement in a post-match altercation following Groningen’s game against Ajax late in the 2024-25 season, as well as an incident after Suriname played Guatemala. Lukkien stressed that the club stands by Vaessen but must help him respond differently when he believes he has been treated unfairly.