Kuijt once again faces the risk of punishment after criticizing refereeing decisions

The tension around Beerschot coach Dirk Kuijt continues to grow, both on and off the pitch. With the club sinking deeper into crisis, Kuijt now finds himself at the center of a renewed disciplinary controversy, adding further pressure to an already critical situation.

His recent post-match comments about the officiating during a painful loss to AA Gent have not gone unnoticed and they may now come back to haunt him.

"Is it incompetence, or are we being deliberately targeted? It’s starting to feel more and more like the latter," Kuijt said bluntly after the match, expressing his frustration with the refereeing. The remarks were widely circulated in Belgian media, prompting an investigation by the disciplinary authorities. Initially, the case was dismissed and closed without punishment. However, in a surprising twist, the case has now been reopened on appeal, meaning the Dutch manager could still face sanctions.

This development has fueled speculation about inconsistent disciplinary policies within Belgian football and raised questions about freedom of speech for managers. Kuijt, known for his passion and straightforward approach, may have crossed a line, but many fans and analysts argue that his criticism reflects broader frustrations with the standard of officiating in the league.

Notably, Kuijt is not the only coach currently under fire for publicly criticizing referees. The Belgian Disciplinary Council for Professional Football is also set to examine similar complaints involving two other high-profile managers: Besnik Hasi, currently in charge at Anderlecht and formerly with KV Mechelen, and Chris Coleman, the experienced Welsh coach also working in Belgian football. According to Belgian press agency Belga, the council is reviewing what it calls three separate "cases of excessive criticism" suggesting a wider crackdown on dissent from coaches toward match officials.

These disciplinary cases come at a time when emotions are running high, particularly in the lower half of the Belgian First Division, where Beerschot’s battle for survival is reaching desperate levels. The club currently finds itself in the relegation play-off phase, grouped with three other teams in a last-chance round-robin format. Beerschot has to overcome a massive 15-point deficit in just six matches to avoid the drop a task that even the most optimistic fans are finding hard to believe in.

Statistical models, including those from respected analytics firm Opta, put Beerschot’s chances of staying up at less than 1%. The situation has been deteriorating for weeks, with a string of poor results leaving the club in a deep hole. Kuijt, brought in to spark a turnaround, has struggled to find consistency, and injuries combined with defensive lapses have cost the team dearly.

This Saturday’s match could be a defining moment. Beerschot hosts Sint-Truiden at Het Kiel on March 29 at 16:00 in what many are calling a must-win game not just for points, but for pride and morale. Failure to secure three points at home could mathematically seal their fate, depending on other results in the group.

Adding to the pressure is the atmosphere surrounding the club. Fans have grown increasingly restless, and while many still support Kuijt, there is a clear sense that time is running out for both the coach and the team. Off the field, uncertainty looms over what relegation could mean for the club’s finances, squad composition, and even its long-term future in professional football.

For Kuijt, the timing of the disciplinary case couldn’t be worse. Instead of focusing solely on keeping his team afloat, he’s now also facing the possibility of a touchline ban or fine. Even a minor sanction could disrupt the team’s fragile momentum and further destabilize an already vulnerable dressing room.

Regardless of what the disciplinary council decides, this chapter is emblematic of a season that has been filled with frustration, controversy, and setbacks for Beerschot. The club finds itself at the intersection of sporting failure and institutional conflict a dangerous place to be in the final weeks of a survival campaign.

As the team prepares for what could be their last stand against Sint-Truiden, Kuijt and Beerschot know they are fighting against more than just a scoreboard. They are battling time, pressure, and a system that seems to be working against them at every turn. Whether they can defy the odds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road ahead is steep, and the margin for error is gone.