Robin van Persie just suffered ‘scandalous’ referee error – Even Arsenal fans would be infuriated

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There is no love lost between Arsenal and Robin van Persie but, even those in N5 would feel for their former player after what just happened.

Van Persie left the Emirates as a villain in 2012, signing for Manchester United after eight years at Arsenal. 

As a result of the backlash that came from the remarkable transfer, Van Persie has admitted he could never return to Arsenal due to the hostility between himself and fans.

Having retired in 2019, the former Gunners talisman remains firmly a part of the game, being manager of Eredivisie side Heerenveen.

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Arsenal villain Robin van Persie victim of referee error

Arsene Wenger regards Van Persie as underrated at Arsenal, something that very few can agree with after the Dutchman’s unforgivable transfer to Old Trafford.

The 132 goals the striker scored for the Gunners have been removed from the memory of many fans, with there a feeling of deep anger aimed at Van Persie.

Even though the former Netherlands international is a villain in N5, even some Arsenal fans will feel for what just happened to their ex-player.

During Heerenveen’s Eredivisie clash with Fortuna Sittard, Van Persie watched his side fall victim to a remarkable refereeing error.

In the latter stages of the game, Fortuna were spotted to have 12 players on the pitch, which soon after being corrected, led to the visitors scoring a late equaliser against Van Persie’s side.

As the former Arsenal man protested on the sidelines, the match officials corrected their error, calling the Fortuna player to exit the pitch but, the damage was already done. 

Moments later, Fortuna scored from a corner to take a point from the contest, something that left Van Persie infuriated.

While Arsenal fans might enjoy the misfortune that the Gunners villain experienced, even some at the Emirates will feel for the ex-Premier League striker.

Arsenal have been at the heart of refereeing scandals this season, most recently coming as Myles Lewis-Skelly was wrongly sent off against Wolves.

What Van Persie said about Heerenveen referee scandal 

As expected, Van Persie was furious with the match officials in Heerenveen’s draw, as the former Gunner branded the situation ‘scandalous’.

“I find what preceded that goal very special, Fortuna Sittard had 12 men on the field for a minute before that throw-in,” Van Persie told the media. 

“Apparently that is allowed and possible. You can’t imagine that? That it is simply allowed. Normally I never talk to referees and always let them do their job, but it can’t be that they play with twelve men.

“That’s unthinkable. So I asked the fourth official: ‘Shouldn’t you do something about that?’”

It’s an unthinkable error for Van Persie’s side to experience, with the mistake unfortunately playing a part in the dropping of points for Heerenveen.