Club Brugge secured a narrow victory in their city derby against Cercle Brugge on 24 August 2026, thanks to a controversial VAR decision that overturned a penalty. The match, which ended with a minimal win for Club Brugge, has sparked frustration among referees, including Jonathan Lardot, the referees' chief.
In the 70th minute of the match between Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, defender Brandon Mechele was involved in a handball incident. Referee Nicolas Laforge initially awarded a penalty to Cercle Brugge. However, VAR referee Lawrence Visser intervened, pointing out a shirt-pull on Mechele before the handball. After a review lasting several minutes, Laforge reversed his decision and awarded a foul against Cercle Brugge.
Reaction from Cercle Brugge and Jonathan Lardot
The decision sparked anger from Cercle Brugge's coach Lars Friis. Jonathan Lardot, the referees' chief, also criticized the VAR intervention. He stated that VAR is meant to prevent major errors, not to scrutinize minor details. Lardot said: "The video ref is designed to prevent blunders. Not to look for details." He added: "That frustrates me."
Club Brugge's strong start to the season
Club Brugge has made a strong start to the season, with 9 points from 3 matches and a goal difference of +7. Their next match is against Gent (away, 30 August 2026). The top scorer of the season is N. Tresoldi with 3 goals in 3 appearances. For more information on the current standings and upcoming fixtures, you can visit our standings and fixtures pages.
This decision has reignited the debate about the use of VAR in football. While Club Brugge is happy with the victory, the controversy over the VAR intervention remains a talking point. For Cercle Brugge, it is a disappointment, but they will need to prepare for their next match. Club Brugge, however, remains strong in the league and will aim to maintain their good form in the coming matches.
