Meerdink thinks AZ deserves a penalty
October 12, 2026 · Netherlands
In the match between AZ and Feyenoord, Mexx Meerdink claimed that his team should have received a penalty. He felt there was clear contact and criticized the referee's decision taken after reviewing VAR.
Meerdink thinks AZ deserves a penalty
Why this is important
The referee's decision in the match between AZ and Feyenoord is very important, especially in the context of competitive Eredivisie football. Mexx Meerdink felt that the overturned penalty could have affected the final outcome of the match, which could have had an impact on his team's position in the league. Criticism of the use of VAR also reflects wider dissatisfaction regarding refereeing decisions in modern football.
Background
Mexx Meerdink, who plays for AZ, showed high commitment and fighting spirit in the match against Feyenoord. As a promising young player in the Eredivisie, his performance will continue to be watched, especially after this incident. With support from his colleagues, including Jordy Clasie, it is hoped that Meerdink can overcome his disappointment and return to his best performance in the upcoming match.
Main Points
- Meerdink thinks AZ deserves a penalty.
- In the match between AZ and Feyenoord, Mexx Meerdink claimed that his team should have received a penalty.
- Meerdink vindt dat AZ pingel is ontnomen: 'Weet niet welke beelden hij zag'.
Meerdink, who passed Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, claimed he felt contact at the time, saying, "I felt contact. I said that straight away. I don't know what he saw, but I think it should have been a penalty."
After the game, Meerdink spoke to ESPN and asked to see footage of the incident. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, "He stepped on my foot. I don't know what he saw, but from my point of view, there was clearly contact. If this happened in the middle of the field, he would have blown the whistle."
Meerdink was then shown footage of the incident and confirmed his view, "From a rear view, it was clear that he hit me. The contact was there and I felt it. If this had happened in the middle of the pitch, he would have given a foul."
According to VAR guidelines, interventions should only be made in cases of clear error by the referee, and Meerdink felt there was no clear error in the initial decision. "It was clearly a penalty. I don't think he would have seen it. However, I understand it was difficult for the referee, but there was clear contact. The noise in the stadium was quite loud too. I thought, the longer he stood there, the more likely he would give a penalty. But, yeah..."
In the dressing room, Meerdink had to be advised by his colleague, Gjivai Zechiël, to remain calm. "He told me not to get too emotional and said there was nothing wrong," he said with a smile.
Regarding his experience with the Dutch national team, Meerdink feels very lucky to be involved. "These weeks have been very meaningful. It's a new experience for me to play this much. I feel it mentally and physically, but I have to be able to manage it."
Jordy Clasie, Feyenoord captain, also believes that AZ should have received a penalty. "I was standing right behind him. From my perspective, Meerdink was clearly hit. If he was hit, then it should have been a penalty. You don't suddenly fall for no reason at crucial moments like that," he said.
This situation shows how important the referee's decisions are in football matches, and how VAR should be able to help ensure fairness in every decision made.
What happened next
After Meerdink's statement, there will likely be further discussion regarding the use of VAR in the Eredivisie. AZ will probably analyze match footage to determine next steps, both in terms of team strategy and in submitting an official complaint. Meanwhile, Meerdink and his colleagues must focus on the next match to get better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the match between AZ and Feyenoord?
Mexx Meerdink felt his team should have had a penalty after the referee overturned a penalty decision that was initially awarded after reviewing video footage (VAR).
Who confirmed that AZ should have received a penalty?
Mexx Meerdink confirmed that he felt there was contact and that AZ should have had a penalty.
Why was the penalty decision overturned?
The penalty decision was overturned after referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the video footage and found no obvious errors to support the initial decision.
What changes does Meerdink expect after seeing the incident recording?
Meerdink hopes that after viewing the footage, the referee will realize that there was clear contact and award a penalty.
What does Meerdink think about the referee's decision?
Meerdink felt there was no obvious error in the initial decision and considered that if a similar incident had occurred in the middle of the pitch, there would definitely have been a foul awarded.
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