PSV midfielder Ruben van Bommel has publicly addressed the criticism surrounding his tackle on Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman for the first time. He did so in an interview with Ziggo Sport following Saturday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, as reported by HLN Voetbal. The challenge in the closing stages of PSV's 3-1 victory caused a bruise to Bouwman's sternum and lung, requiring an overnight hospital stay. Van Bommel received only a yellow card, though referees' chief Raymond van Meenen later stated a red card would have been appropriate.
"It was my own fault. It was not clever, a bit reckless," Van Bommel told Ziggo Sport. He acknowledged his famous surname doesn't help the situation. "My surname naturally doesn't help in this situation," he admitted, referencing his father Mark van Bommel, the Belgium national team coach and former top midfielder.
What the referees' chief said
Raymond van Meenen, the head of the referees, was clear in his post-match analysis. According to him, Van Bommel's challenge on Bouwman should have resulted in a red card. That statement further fuelled public debate. Despite the controversy, Van Bommel tried to focus as much as possible on preparing for the important Champions League tie with Shakhtar Donetsk, which ended 1-1. He says he remained calm.
The consequences for Ajax
For Ajax, Aaron Bouwman's injury is a setback in a season that is yet to fully ignite. The Amsterdam side currently sit eighth in the Eredivisie with seven points from four matches. They have scored nine goals and conceded five. The next task is an away match against Fortuna Sittard, who are in sixth place, on Saturday, September 12. The current standings show Ajax are eight points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar. The squad could use all fit players, as visible on the squad page.
What happens next
The focus for Ajax now shifts completely to the match in Sittard. The game against Fortuna is the first chance to break the negative spiral after the defeat to PSV and pick up points in the chase for the top. The upcoming fixtures will show if they succeed. For Ruben van Bommel, the chapter is closed, but for Aaron Bouwman and Ajax, recovery begins. The defender must regain fitness before he can rejoin the manager's plans.
