Referee declines interview after controversial Van Bommel tackle in Ajax-PSV
Sander van der Eijk did not speak to ESPN after PSV’s 3-1 win, during which Ruben van Bommel escaped with a yellow card for his challenge on Aaron Bouwman.
Referee Sander van der Eijk declined ESPN’s request for a post-match interview following PSV’s 3-1 Eredivisie victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, according to Voetbalzone. The official’s decision came after a contentious incident involving PSV winger Ruben van Bommel and Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman.
Van Bommel caught Bouwman with a forceful challenge that left the Ajax player unable to continue. Debutant Thilo Kehrer replaced him. Before the substitution, Ajax defender Youri Baas confronted Van Bommel, prompting a wider altercation that also caused tempers to flare on the touchline.
Once the confrontation had settled, Van der Eijk showed Van Bommel a yellow card. VAR Pol van Boekel did not send the referee to the pitchside monitor, so the booking stood. PSV remained at full strength and sealed their 3-1 victory during stoppage time.
ESPN’s studio analysts believed the tackle warranted a red card. Hugo Borst also criticised Van der Eijk for not appearing on camera afterwards, arguing that the referee could have acknowledged an error. “You can simply admit your mistake,” Borst said, as quoted by Voetbalzone. He also questioned why the VAR had not advised an on-field review.
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