The bottom red, Beerschot VA, failed to reduce its delay on Sunday afternoon. On the pitch of KV Malines, the promoted team lost 0-3. After the match, Antwerp strongly criticized the refereeing decisions.
Beerschot had a disastrous start to the season, marked by the interruption of their derby against Royal Antwerp FC. However, the Mannekes had shown signs of recovery thereafter, with only one defeat in the last six meetings against formidable opponents like Anderlecht, La Gantoise and Club Brugge.
Mechelen imposes its law
Despite this positive dynamic, Dirk Kuyt’s team failed to confirm at the AFAS stadium. Mechelen took the lead just before half-time. Then, after a penalty was refused in Beerschot, the locals doubled the lead shortly after the break. At the end of the match, the Malinois increased the score further, bringing their lead to 3-0.
A contested decision on the penalty
This heavy defeat left a bitter taste for Dirk Kuyt, who denounced several refereeing decisions, notably during a key moment. Thibaud Verlinden appeared to have been pushed by Rafik Belghali in the area, but neither the referee nor the VAR judged the action sufficient to award a penalty.
“There were some more surprising choices from the referee, especially in this phase with Verlinden,” Kuyt told Sporza. “When a defender changes direction, does not touch the ball and hits the player, there is a risk of a penalty. Here, everything was swept aside, a crucial moment.”
A foul before the first goal
Another phase particularly irritated the Dutch coach: the action which led to the Mechelen opening the score. “Just before the break we conceded this goal. However, the action which preceded it involved a clear foul. The ball was cleared and a player was hit. Football is a contact sport, but it remained a crucial moment for us in the progress of the match,” he added.
