A football disciplinary body has ruled that a match in Belgian football's top flight between Anderlecht and Genk will be replayed in its entirety after a VAR error led to a misapplication of the rules of the game.
The incident occurred in the 23rd minute of the match when Genk striker Yira Sor followed up a missed penalty by teammate Bryan Heynan to head past former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who had saved the initial penalty.
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Replays showed Sor was inside the penalty area when Heynan hit the ball, prompting VAR to recommend referee Nathan Verboomen disallow the goal.
However, the replay also showed that two Anderlecht players had also invaded the penalty area, which, according to the rules of the game, should have resulted in Genk's penalty being replayed, rather than the decision of the match officials. which was awarding a penalty to Anderlecht. Free shot.
Anderlecht eventually won the match 2–1 thanks to a goal by Anders Dreyer in the 91st minute on December 23, 2023.
Belgium's refereeing body had initially ruled that the match would not be replayed, as they considered the incident a VAR error and not a misapplication of the rules of the game.
However, Genk appealed the decision to the Disciplinary Council of Professional Football, which overturned the refereeing body's decision and ruled that the match should be replayed in its entirety.
“The Disciplinary Council of Professional Football has ruled that the Anderlecht – KRC Genk match at the end of last year must be replayed,” Genk said in a statement.
“The Disciplinary Council initially declared itself competent to rule on the matter. This overturned the previous decision of the Professional Referee Department not to replay the match.
“The Council then followed KRC Genk's argument that the match referees misapplied the rules in the penalty phase in question. KRC Genk hopes that a date will be found soon to replay the match.”
Anderlecht is eight points behind Belgian Pro League leaders Union St.-Gilloise, while third-placed Genk is 13 points behind.
