The Belgian referees do not often appear in front of the microphone. That anonymity was broken by top referee Erik Lambrechts and referee boss Stephanie Forde in the podcast Eleven Insiders.
“It is important to also tell our side of the story,” explains Erik Lambrechts.
“We’ve been shielding ourselves from the outside world a bit lately,” Stephanie Forde continued. “That was never the intention. We want to show that we are open to working together to move football forward.”
(Read on below the photo.)
For example, there was the much-discussed phase in OH Leuven-Anderlecht. Right back Murillo received a second yellow card in the absolute final phase. Vincent Kompany immediately gave a strong fight against referee Lambrechts. According to him, another mistake preceded the conscious phase.
That outburst earned the Anderlecht trainer two yellow cards. Lambrechts got the wind for that decision. In the podcast, he gave an insight into his decision-making process.
“On a football field, it must be possible to communicate in a respectful way. That is the basis for me,” explains Lambrechts. “We – as referees – must also be open to that. It must be the first way to solve problems.”
“But at certain times a limit is reached.” This is also the case in the OH Leuven-Anderlecht match. When Lambrechts treated Kompany to a double yellow card.
“Not many people know that, but I gave Kompany the first yellow card for hitting the dugout furiously. The fourth official noticed that and passed it on to me.”
“The moment I show that card, Kompany – in his emotion – continues with his reaction. Afterwards I can understand that. I indeed miss another mistake on Benito Raman at that stage.”
“Yet as a referee – despite a mistake – you cannot accept everything that happens on a football field.”
