According to the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), referee Sander van der Eijk has been appointed to officiate the city derby between Sparta Rotterdam and Feyenoord at Het Kasteel. The fixture kicks off on Sunday, August 9, at 12.15 uur, bringing together two Rotterdam sides under a 35-year-old official who brings an undefeated personal record overseeing the visiting club.
Match Officials and VAR Setup for Sparta Rotterdam vs. Feyenoord
On-field decisions will rely on an officiating crew supporting Van der Eijk from the sidelines and the booth. According to KNVB assignments, Rens Bluemink and Stefan de Groot will serve as assistant referees, while Stan Teuben takes on the responsibilities of the fourth official. Operating behind the video screens, Dennis Higler is set as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), supported by Cristian Dobre as the assistant VAR.
Did you know? Sander van der Eijk has been active at the highest level since April 2019, working his way up to fixtures like the Rotterdam city derby.
Feyenoord’s Historical Record Under Referee Van der Eijk
Statistical history favors the visitors heading into Het Kasteel, according to official competition records. The Amstelveen-based referee has handled seven official Feyenoord matches under his leadership, a span in which the Rotterdam side has remained entirely unbeaten. Feyenoord secured victories in five of those seven fixtures, while the remaining two encounters ended in draws.
Last season alone, Van der Eijk refereed three league matches involving Feyenoord. Those fixtures included both home and away victories against SC Telstar, alongside a 2-2 away draw against sc Heerenveen.
Disciplinary History and Penalty Statistics
Discipline has remained relatively measured across Van der Eijk’s previous encounters with Feyenoord. Across those seven prior matches, players representing the Rotterdam club received a total of nine yellow cards. In addition to cautions, Van der Eijk has awarded a single penalty kick to Feyenoord. That sole spot-kick came on September 22, 2024, during a 2-0 home victory against NAC Breda.
Pro Tip: When analyzing referee trends, tracking historical card averages and penalty allocations provides context. Explore our Eredivisie referee analysis archive for more deep dives into match officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sparta Rotterdam play Feyenoord?
The match begins on Sunday, August 9, at 12.15 uur at Het Kasteel.
Who is the referee for the Sparta Rotterdam vs. Feyenoord derby?
According to the KNVB, Sander van der Eijk will referee the match.
Who is operating the VAR for this fixture?
Dennis Higler will act as the VAR, with Cristian Dobre serving as the assistant VAR.
What is Feyenoord’s record with Van der Eijk as referee?
Feyenoord is undefeated in seven official matches under Van der Eijk, winning five and drawing two.
Join the Discussion: How do you think this referee appointment will impact the tempo of the derby? Drop a comment below, check out our latest match previews, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more insights.
Worth a look