Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Thursday, 30 April 2026, 10:03 / Updated on Thursday, 30 April 2026 10:04
Ronald de Boer (55 years old), former Dutch international and current TV analyst, was in the studio of a Dutch television station to analyze the Champions League semi-final round, Atletico – Arsenal, score 1-1.
The former international spoke about the refereeing of Danny Makkelie, the Dutch “central”, and then contracted with the presenter of the show, Wytse van der Goot. Also in the studio was another legend from the Netherlands, Jaap Stam, who eventually defused the situation.
Ronald De Boer: “I don't think it's a penalty at all! It's not unnatural”
In the penalty phase awarded to Arsenal in the first half, De Boer felt Makkelie had made the right decision. But in the second half, Makkelie made a glaring mistake, in his opinion. Makkelie himself had not seen Arsenal defender Ben White's handball, but was alerted by VAR, after which he pointed to the spot. A bad call according to De Boer as the ball comes off Ben White's foot and into his hand. The presenter explained that the English defender increased his body area with his arm and the ex-footballer ranted.
“I don't think it's a penalty at all, because the ball comes from his foot to his hand. You've studied the rules, Wytse, so you can probably award it,” De Boer began the dialogue, according to sportnieuws.nl.
Van der Goot then explained that UEFA rules state that a ball coming from the body is not a factor in whether or not a penalty is awarded: “And here, Ben White's arm unnaturally enlarges his body,” explained the presenter.
Ronald De Boer and Jaap Stam
“Unnatural? What unnatural?! We're not going to play football with our hands behind our backs. Come on, Wytse, that really pisses me off. We're not going to defend like that, come on. It's not unnatural at all. When I spin, my hand doesn't go like that?! It's not natural,” Ronald De Boer continued, visibly irritated.
Jaap Stam calmed the two down, and then De Boer reiterated that, in his opinion, a penalty should not have been awarded. Just as he considered the penalty disallowed for Arsenal late in the match, when VAR had to call Makkelie to the monitor to review his decision.
I think it was a good decision. I can understand Makkelie giving it initially, especially from his angle. But if you look again, it's so easy. I think Makkelie refereed well anyway.
-Ronald De Boer, according to the quoted source
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Ronald De Boer (55) played for Ajax, Twente, Barcelona, Rangers, Al Rayyan and Al Shamal. He has a Champions League with Ajax, a European Super Cup, a title in Spain and 5 championships and 3 Cups in Holland.
