Anderlecht – RC Genk is set to be replayed. The Belgian top match, which took place on December 23, 2023, was decided in favor of Brussels after a refereeing blunder during a penalty phase. Genk was angry, demanded a replay, was initially denied by the referees' committee, but the Disciplinary Board has now ruled in favor of Genk.
The controversy surrounding the Anderlecht vs Genk match reached new heights following the intervention of the VAR and the subsequent decisions made by referee Nathan Verboomen.
The critical moment came when Yira Sor scored for Genk after Bryan Heynen's penalty was initially missed. Although the goal was initially given, the VAR review led to a change in the decision, citing Sor's early movement. However, the decision to award a free kick to Anderlecht instead was deemed incorrect, as Anderlecht's Yari Verschaeren had also moved in prematurely, which should have validated the goal.
The aftermath of Anderlecht's victory in the match was met with strong reactions. Genk, feeling aggrieved by the refereeing decisions, lodged a formal protest with the Professional Referee Department. Their request for a replay of the match was initially denied, leading to further appeals. The situation took a significant turn when Genk's appeal to the Disciplinary Board was successful, overturning the previous decision and granting the request for a rematch.
Anderlecht's argument that the incident was a mere human error did not hold up against the scrutiny of the Disciplinary Board. This decision has major implications for both teams in the league standings. Anderlecht, currently second, faces the challenge of replaying the match to secure vital points in their pursuit of league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise. For Genk, positioned fifth, a win in the replay could propel them to third place, making the match critical for their league aspirations.
The scheduling of the replay, however, remains uncertain. Finding a suitable date should be feasible as both teams are no longer involved in cup or European competitions, reducing the potential for fixture congestion. This replay not only affects the standings but also brings into focus the role of VAR and refereeing decisions in modern football, sparking debate and discussion about the fairness and accuracy of such technologies and their impact on the game.
