January 27, (THEWILL) – A football match between RSC Anderlecht and KRC Genk in the Belgian Pro League will be replayed in full following a controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision, according to reports.
The Disciplinary Council for Professional Football upheld an appeal by Genk to replay the December 23 fixture at Lotto Park, which ended 2-1 to Anderlecht.
Genk lodged a complaint with the Referee Department after having a late equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside. Replays showed Genk winger Yira Sor scored from a rebound after Bryan Heynen had a penalty saved by Anderlecht goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. However, Anderlecht players were seen encroaching in the area before the penalty was taken.
“The Council followed Genk’s argument that the match officials misapplied the rules at the penalty phase in question,” said Genk in a statement on Tuesday. At the time of writing, Anderlecht sit second in the Pro League table, while Genk are fifth.
A date for the replayed match is yet to be set. The rare decision to replay a match in full highlights issues around VAR technology and calls into question referee decisions made with its assistance. More details are expected in due course.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
