Amsterdam Times

Netherlands Voice, Dutch Heritage
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026

Controversy in Dutch Football: KNVB Overrules Referee on Nick Fichtinger's Disallowed Goal

Dutch Football Association Rules PEC Zwolle's Disputed Goal as Legitimate, Sparked by VAR Intervention
In a surprising turn of events in Dutch football, the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) has declared PEC Zwolle's contested goal against RKC Waalwijk as wrongly disallowed.

This decision follows a controversial intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during their Eredivisie clash, which resulted in the annulment of Nick Fichtinger's potentially match-winning strike.

The incident occurred in the closing moments of the match when Fichtinger's celebration was abruptly halted by a VAR review led by Jannick van der Laan.

The decision to annul the goal provoked immediate outrage from players and fans alike, casting a shadow over the impartiality and effectiveness of VAR decisions in the league.

The KNVB's subsequent phone call to PEC Zwolle to address the incident underscores the sensitivity of the issue and the governing body's commitment to ensuring fairness in the beautiful game.

The association's acknowledgment of the error highlights ongoing debates about the integration of technology in football, with many arguing that human judgment cannot be entirely replaced by electronic systems.

This development raises questions about the reliability of VAR, which was introduced with the promise of reducing errors, yet continues to face criticism for its implementation and decision-making processes.

Coaches, players, and analysts worldwide are watching closely as leagues navigate these technological challenges, balancing the precision of replay technology with the intrinsic spontaneity of the sport.

As PEC Zwolle and RKC Waalwijk head into the winter break, Finnish player Nick Fichtinger's disallowed goal serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability and passion that define football, reigniting conversations about the future role of technology in adjudicating the game.

In the meantime, the KNVB's swift acknowledgment of their oversight is a step towards restoring trust among stakeholders, reaffirming the need for transparent and robust decision-making processes in the sport.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Woman Receives Gift Card for Christmas – Discovers It Is ‘Worth’ 63,000,000,000,000,000 Pounds
United Nations Calls for Global Action Against Disinformation and Hate Speech Online
Tucker Carlson warns of an inevitable clash in Western societies over mass migration
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises the rapid progress of Chinese tech companies.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki ENDS support for Ukrainian citizens:
Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni highlights record employment and economic growth
Chancellor Friedrich Merz Re-elected as CDU Leader, Opposes AfD Influence
Trump Directs Government to Release UFO and Alien Information
Trump Signs Global 10% Tariffs on Imports
UK Government Considers Law to Remove Prince Andrew from Royal Line of Succession
Two teens arrested in France for alleged terror plot.
US Supreme Court Voids Trump’s Emergency Tariff Plan, Reshaping Trade Power and Fiscal Risk
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocates for a ban on minors using social media.
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison for Abuse of Authority
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for real name use on social media.
Italian Police Arrest Man After Alleged Attempt to Abduct Toddler at Bergamo Supermarket, Child Hospitalised With Fractured Femur
Japan outlawed Islam
British Tourist Arrested at Hong Kong Airport After Meltdown and Vandalism
European Commission Plans Purchase Incentives Limited to Vehicles Manufactured Largely in the EU
French District of Pas-de-Calais Introduces Immediate License Suspension for Drivers Using Mobile Phones
Eighty-Year-Old Lottery Winner Sentenced to 16.5 Years for Drug Trafficking
Rubio Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform, Saying It Has Failed to End Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
10,000 Condoms Distributed at Winter Olympics 2026 Athlete Village Depleted Within 72 Hours
Poland's President Advocates for Evaluating Independent Nuclear Weapons Development
Mayor of Serdobsk in Russia’s Penza Region Resigns After Housing Certificates Granted to Migrant Family Trigger Public Outcry
China’s EV Makers Face Mandatory Return to Physical Buttons and Door Handles in Driver-Distraction Safety Overhaul
Walmart's Earnings and UK Economic Data Highlight Upcoming Financial Trends
UK Green Party Considering Proposal to Legalize Heroin for an Inclusive Society
OpenAI and DeepCent Superintelligence Race: Artificial General Intelligence and AI Agents as a National Security Arms Race
We will protect them from the digital Wild West.’ Another country will ban social media for under-16s
Heineken announces cut of 6,000 jobs due to declining beer demand
Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode blocks FBI data access in journalist device seizure
KPMG Urges Auditor to Relay AI Cost Savings
Canada Opens First Consulate in Greenland Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
China unveils plans for a 'Death Star' capable of launching missile strikes from space
Investigation Launched at Winter Olympics Over Ski Jumpers Injecting Hyaluronic Acid
U.S. State Department Issues Urgent Travel Warning for Citizens to Leave Iran Immediately
Wall Street Erases All Gains of 2026; Bitcoin Plummets 14% to $63,000
Eighty-one-year-old man in the United States fatally shoots Uber driver after scam threat
Political Censorship: French Prosecutors Raid Musk’s X Offices in Paris
AI Invented “Hot Springs” — Tourists Arrived and Were Shocked
France Begins Phasing Out Zoom and Microsoft Teams to Advance Digital Sovereignty
Tech Market Shifts and AI Investment Surge Drive Global Innovation and Layoffs
Global Shifts in War, Trade, Energy and Security Mark Major International Developments
Markets Jolt as AI Spending, US Policy Shifts, and Global Security Moves Drive New Volatility
Tesla Ends Model S and X Production and Sends $2 Billion to xAI as 2025 Revenue Declines
Starmer Signals UK Push for a More ‘Sophisticated’ Relationship With China in Talks With Xi
×