VAR continues to favor top clubs Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord despite criticism

The VAR decision that Danny Makkelie gave a penalty to AZ against Feyenoord, despite Mexx Meerdink clearly being hit, formed the turning point of the weekend. Sjoerd Mossou noted in his column for the Algemeen Dagblad that this again demonstrated how the technology continues to favor controversial moments.

Mossou argues that, despite the introduction of VAR, discussions still fall in favor of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV. ‘Fortunately we had VAR again this weekend, the million‑costing tool that gives us net fewer mistakes, but that actually leads to more whining, nagging and fuss,’ writes Mossou cynically. In crucial 50/50 decisions Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord are often just slightly judged differently than the rest, as this weekend again showed, because referees are just people. VAR could not solve that either,’ he concludes.

AZ striker Meerdink blames referee after denied penalty against Feyenoord

The whole suggests that the introduction of VAR has not removed the existing referee bias; the three big clubs continue to systematically benefit, which revives the debate about the effectiveness of the million‑costing tool.