Standard's ignored penalty sparks fury after Charleroi's decisive goal

In the Jupiler Pro League clash at Charleroi, Standard fell to a 1‑0 defeat after a disputed penalty was not awarded, a decision that left Vincent Euvrard fuming and sparked a heated debate over referee Simon Bourdeaud'hui’s performance in the closing stages.

Standard struggled to create chances in the opening half, while Charleroi dictated possession and pressed high. The home side’s midfield rotated the ball efficiently, leaving the visitors ineffective in attack. By halftime the scoreboard remained blank, but the visitors’ frustration grew as they failed to convert any of the few opportunities they generated. The match report was supplied by BELGA PHOTO JOHN THYS.

Keita's header decides match

The dead‑lock finally broke in the 58th minute. A free‑kick awarded to Charleroi was poorly cleared by Touzghar, the ball fell to Pflücke who flicked it on to Keita. The forward rose above the defence and headed the ball into the small rectangle, giving Charleroi a 1‑0 lead.

Penalty controversy fuels Standard anger

Mais the controversy dominated the post‑match conversation. In stoppage time Aurélien Scheidler appeared to crush Salieu Drammeh’s right foot inside the penalty area, an incident clearly audible to the crowd. Referee Simon Bourdeaud'hui made no call, and the VAR did not intervene, prompting Standard’s Vincent Euvrard to label the oversight “scandalous”. The “Cheick” wallon nickname was invoked as supporters lamented the missed penalty.

The tension escalated when Standard’s Gustaf Mortensen received a red card in the fifth minute of added time. Playing with ten men, Standard could not mount a comeback, and the dismissal cemented Charleroi’s control of the final minutes. The sending‑off also meant Mortensen will miss the upcoming Belgian Cup round‑of‑16 tie.

Charleroi manager Mario Kohnen said he was “rather content with the decision” but warned that such incidents balance out over a season. Standard coach Alexis Trouillet insisted the team must score beyond the disputed incident, while Vincent Euvrard reiterated his anger, saying the referee was well‑placed yet failed to see the foul.

Standard face Dender without Mortensen

Standard now faces Dender in the Belgian Cup round‑of‑16 on Friday, a match they will contest without Mortensen. The club’s recent form has been poor, having recorded a third defeat in three weeks, while Charleroi continued an impressive run, amassing twenty‑one points from twenty‑four matches. STANDARD's line‑up featured Epolo between the posts and a midfield trio of Trouillet, Ilaimaharitra and Nielsen.

The Jupiler Pro League table reflects the divergence: Charleroi’s surge contrasts with Standard’s slide, as the latter sit lower after three consecutive losses. The result leaves Standard with a growing points deficit and intensifies pressure on the squad ahead of the cup fixture.