Van Polen criticises referee decision in play-off final review

Bram van Polen has criticised the officiating of Sander van der Eijk following the play-off final. The former PEC Zwolle player argues that the referee incorrectly disallowed a goal by Robert Mühren. Willem II ultimately secured promotion to the Eredivisie via penalties. The play-off final between Willem II and FC Volendam ended in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished level. The controversial decision occurred in the second half when Robert Mühren’s goal was ruled out for offside. Van Polen, speaking in his capacity as a pundit, stated that the referee’s call directly influenced the outcome of the match. He emphasised that the decision prevented Volendam from gaining a crucial advantage at a pivotal moment. The match’s progression to penalties followed a tightly contested 90 minutes. Both teams had opportunities to score, but defensive organisation prevented clear-cut chances. The disallowed goal remains the central talking point of the encounter. Sander van der Eijk issued a yellow card during the match but was not directly involved in the offside decision. The refereeing team’s performance has now come under scrutiny in post-match discussions. Willem II will compete in the Eredivisie next season following their penalty shoot-out victory. FC Volendam’s promotion hopes were dashed by the outcome. The club’s supporters expressed frustration with the officiating in the immediate aftermath. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) will review the refereeing performance in due course. No immediate statement has been issued regarding potential disciplinary action against officials. For Volendam, the disappointment extends beyond the play-off final. The club will now focus on regrouping ahead of the new season in the Eerste Divisie.