Dutch lower league teams to play city derby without referees

(Patria) - A unique city derby between local clubs SV Brandevoort and SV De Braak will be held tonight in the Dutch city of Helmond.

The friendly match, scheduled for 8 PM on the SV Brandevoort pitch, is attracting attention due to its unusual nature – it will be played without a single referee.

The match will be played without a main referee or assistant referees, without cards, and the players themselves will take responsibility for making all decisions on the field.

This unusual initiative carries a deeper message – the clubs want to emphasize the importance of fair play and correct behavior, believing that the spirit of sport has been lost in modern football.



- Friendship on the field has long disappeared. We want to draw attention to that – said the president of SV Brandevoort, Harry Elzendoorn.

This experimental approach has already attracted significant attention from the Dutch football public.

An unusually large number of spectators is expected for a match between these clubs, and admission will be free.

It remains to be seen whether this experiment will spark a new trend in football and whether players can maintain the spirit of sport without referee interventions.