The match between Oranje Zwart from Wanneperveen and Ruinen in the third division C was stopped 25 minutes before time on Sunday afternoon. The referee no longer saw any point in it after he had shown several cards to Oranje Zwart players in a short period of time and felt threatened. Ruinen led 2-1 and trainer Bart Ster was disappointed with the strike.
Ster naturally regretted the premature end of the game: “The referee, I think Hendriks from Smilde, felt threatened by Oranje Zwart players. It started with a kick from one of their players. That yellow card was completely justified, but he went crazy. That’s why he either got a second yellow or a direct red, which I couldn’t see properly. The match continues. We get a free kick due to handball and Thijs Lubbinge scores the 1-2. Then it has to kick off and you probably feel it coming, then something is shouted. The opposing coach also shouted something and the referee felt threatened. When we got to the dressing room we tried to get him to continue playing. However, he was completely done with it. I can’t put myself in his shoes, but I understand if he feels threatened.”
‘He says his family is under threat. Not an issue at all’
Trainer André Blom thought very differently about what happened. The experienced coach with an impressive CV that includes clubs such as WHC, HODO, Staphorst and HZVV, did not understand the decision: “Discontinued due to disorder. Yes, that was true, a disorder in the referee’s head. He no longer felt safe. The two clubs have known each other for years and have an excellent relationship. First he sends Mart Spijkerman away from us with a red card. That was right, but also childish. Then he just gives a free kick that makes it 1-2 and then you get some commentary. Also mine. Then he starts waving yellow cards. He abandons the match and says his family is being threatened. And that they know where to find him. That was completely out of the question.”
The referee went to the dressing room with a personal supervisor from the KNVB: “I knew enough then.” According to Blom, nothing disorderly had happened on the part of the Oranje Zwart: “A good referee is above it.”
Ruinen played well
Bart Ster: “We played very well. We were much better in the first half. There was nothing wrong either. We now have to go to Oranje Zwart again and they are already a few games behind. During the week it will be difficult with their mediocre artificial light. Maybe once on a Saturday afternoon. It feels bad. Due to the actions of others, but we no longer have any influence on it.”
Earlier in the match, Denny van der Linde gave Oranje Zwart the lead, after which Elmar van Belkum neutralized the matter for Ruinen.