Jong Utrecht denied after controversial call in FC Eindhoven draw

Jong FC Utrecht coach Mark Otten was left bemused by a major refereeing controversy during Monday evening’s goalless Keuken Kampioen Divisie draw with FC Eindhoven at Sportpark Zoudenbalch. Visiting goalkeeper Jort Borgmans avoided a possible red card following a collision with Emmanuel Owen shortly after half-time.

Owen had broken clear and was advancing towards goal when Borgmans rushed well outside his penalty area and knocked over the Utrecht forward. Although the move may have contained a hint of offside, referee Joshua Kuipers did not penalise the goalkeeper. Instead, he awarded a free-kick to Eindhoven, denying the hosts a potentially decisive opportunity.

The call also surprised the ESPN commentator, who initially expected Borgmans to be dismissed before realising the decision had gone the other way. FCUpdate described the incident as a source of disbelief, while footage shared after the match prompted further scrutiny of Kuipers’ judgement.

Otten struggled to suppress a smile when discussing the referee’s explanation afterwards. According to the coach, Kuipers believed the Utrecht player had moved into the goalkeeper’s path. Otten called it a “remarkable decision” but stressed that officials do not have the same benefit of replays available after the event. He said the incorrect assessment had disadvantaged his side, while adding that he did not believe the referee had made the mistake deliberately. Neither team ultimately found a goal, and the match finished 0-0.