Referee delays Netherlands World Cup match as Tunisia field 10 men
The Netherlands’ World Cup fixture against Tunisia was bizarrely delayed at the start of the second half after the North African side emerged from the tunnel with only 10 players.
Ronald Koeman’s team were already holding a comfortable 2-0 lead when both nations returned to the pitch.
However, the scheduled restart was abruptly paused when referee Katia Garcia noticed Herve Renard’s squad were a man short.
Tunisian players desperately signalled to the match official that they were still waiting for Ellyes Skhiri to join them.
Koeman left furious by touchline confusion
The unexpected stoppage prompted an angry reaction from the Dutch head coach.
He immediately directed his frustrations toward fourth official Juan Gabriel Benítez and the opposing dugout.
Skhiri eventually hurried onto the field to complete the lineup, but the official countdown time had already expired.
Commentators blast unacceptable absence
BBC broadcaster Steve Wilson highlighted the chaotic scenes live on air as the second period struggled to get underway.
“We have to pause, Tunisia are a man light, so the countdown was a bit early,” Wilson observed.
Co-commentator Stephen Warnock shared the touchline bewilderment regarding the basic timekeeping error.
“It’s incredible. You know that the clock is going down and you’ve got to be out quicker,” the former Liverpool defender stated.
Warnock added that the Oranje boss was entirely justified in his touchline protests.
“Ronald Koeman is furious and rightly so, he’s saying, ‘How is this happening? It’s unacceptable’.”
The fixture finally resumed its regular rhythm once the delayed midfielder took his position.
