Weghorst: “This is extremely frustrating, because you lose again. I find it really bizarre. I think the referee chose to go into this match a certain way. He let go of a lot, playing manly. Fine, I like that too,” the striker said ESPN.
Ajax also lost to FC Utrecht after the dismissal of John Heitinga
Then he is shown the images of the moment, where Makkelie would ultimately disapprove of the goal. “He even points to the ball. You see that, right? I have to hold back and stay calm, because I am emotional, but this is a crucial moment in the match. Either you go into halftime at 0-1, or you go into halftime with a deficit. He came to me at half time: ‘But the VAR…’ I only tasted uncertainty. I also said: ‘You’re the referee, aren’t you?’ I have to say that I think it is of a very questionable level.”
What does Wout Weghorst say about arbitration in the Netherlands?
Weghorst then starts about the general state of arbitration in the Netherlands. “That is not just based on this match, but it has been going on for weeks. We should be a bit more critical about that. Yesterday I saw a referee who gave two red cards of his own accord (Richard Martens at FC Volendam – NAC Breda, ed.). I liked that: someone who dared to make his own decision.”
Video: Valentijn Driessen critical of referee afterwards.
He continues: “Of course you shouldn’t talk about the referee and do your own thing, we conceded two goals from standard situations. That has nothing to do with tactics, but ensuring that you carry out your tasks. In the end, the referee played a crucial role and made a crucial mistake.”
Video: Valentijn Driessen critical of arbitration.
And: “Of course mistakes are part of football, but VAR was created at the time to prevent crucial mistakes. In terms of the match, I don’t even think this is a foul. Anyway, you have my opinion and I stand by it. I think it is of a very questionable level.”
Weghorst about the match and Heitinga
Furthermore, I certainly don’t want to just talk about the referee. We concede two goals again after standard situations. How many times has that happened this season? I know we don’t have a lot of height in the selection. But you can also do everything you can to prevent your opponent from heading. You can enter into duels with full dedication or follow running lines. That just doesn’t happen. Furthermore, we did not create many opportunities. The last ball was often not good.”
Weghorst has a good relationship with John Heitinga. Two weeks ago he embraced the coach who was fired on Thursday after a goal against FC Twente. “Of course I also feel responsible for his dismissal,” Weghorst said. “I also spoke to him after his dismissal. But what was discussed obviously remains between us. We lost too much and there was no visible upward trend. In such a case, trainers are more likely to be dismissed than 22 players at the same time. But the problem is not solved now. You just saw that again. What kind of trainer Ajax needs? There are other people for that, but I would say a very good one.”
| Position | Team | P | GS | W | V | G | DS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | +23 | |
| 2 | 28 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | +19 | |
| 3 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | +7 | |
| 4 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | +5 | |
| 5 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | +6 | |
| 6 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| 7 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | +9 | |
| 8 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | +2 | |
| 9 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | +1 | |
| 10 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | -2 | |
| 11 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | -10 | |
| 12 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | -2 | |
| 13 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | -4 | |
| 14 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 3 | -6 | |
| 15 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 3 | -13 | |
| 16 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 1 | -12 | |
| 17 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 3 | -7 | |
| 18 | 9 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | -16 |
