The incident has ignited a debate regarding refereeing standards and the growing trend of professional footballers wearing undersized shin guards.
The tackle happened in the 34th minute of the April 12 match at the Offermans Joosten Stadium when both players challenged for a loose ball near the Fortuna Sittard penalty area. Holtby reached the ball first, but a late challenge from Hubner saw his boot strike the German midfielder’s left shin with significant force.
A screenshot of Justin Hubner (L) kicking Holtby in the shin during Fortuna Sittard’s 1-1 draw with NAC Breda on April 12, 2026. |
Despite Holtby crying out in pain and television replays showing a deep, visible cut on his leg, the referee neither whistled for a foul nor issued a card, only stopping play to allow medical staff onto the pitch.
Following the match, Hubner reached out to Holtby privately to apologize, later sharing the exchange on his Instagram story to clarify that the foul was not intentional. Holtby responded graciously, acknowledging that such incidents are a part of the game.
However, the social media response from fans was far less forgiving. A video of the injury posted by ESPN NL garnered over 70,000 interactions, with the vast majority of commenters criticizing the lack of protection provided by the mini shin guards favored by modern players, besides the backlash for Hubner and the referee.
“Right in the shin. I wish there was a layer of protection,” a user wrote.
“This is why players need to wear proper shin guards,” another commented.
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Justin Hubner during a game for Fortuna Sittard. Photo by Instagram/@justinhubner5 |
The incident has led to calls for FIFA and the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to implement stricter regulations on the minimum size of protective gear.
Many fans argued that while small guards offer more comfort and mobility, they fail to provide the necessary safety in high-impact collisions. For many players, shin guards have become a formality rather than a functional piece of safety equipment.
The controversy adds another layer of tension for Hubner, who was only recently cleared to return to domestic play following a passport scandal earlier this month. Hubner was among a group of players whose eligibility was questioned after acquiring Indonesian citizenship, which technically required them to be registered as non-EU workers under KNVB rules.
Hubner, 23, has both Dutch and Indonesian ancestry. Born in the Netherlands, he grew up in the youth academy of English club Wolves and has played 21 matches for Fortuna Sittard since the start of the 2025-2026 season. In November 2023, Hubner acquired Indonesian citizenship and has played 20 matches for the national team.
Holtby, 36, is also well-known for playing in the Bundesliga and Premier League for well-known clubs like Schalke 04, Mainz 05, Hamburger SV, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. He has made three appearances for the Germany national team.
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