VAR's Impact on Scottish Football: A Closer Look at Celtic vs. Hibernian

In a recent Scottish Premiership clash, Celtic faced a controversial 2-1 defeat against Hibernian, with Daizen Maeda's crucial equalizer being disallowed by VAR. The Scottish FA's key match incident panel later ruled that the goal should have stood, igniting a heated debate over VAR's role in modern football.

The Controversial Moment

The pivotal moment came in the 83rd minute when Maeda, who had already scored once, connected with a cross from Alistair Johnston. The assistant referee did not flag for any infringement, but VAR intervened, ruling that the ball had crossed the bye-line before Johnston's cross. Replays were inconclusive, yet the decision to disallow the goal was made.

The Panel's Verdict

The panel, consisting of five members, voted 4-1 that the goal should not have been disallowed. One member supported VAR's intervention, believing one angle showed the ball out of play. However, the majority disagreed, highlighting the lack of definitive evidence.

Other VAR Decisions

The panel also addressed other contentious VAR decisions from the match:

1. Hibs' Josh Campbell Goal: Unanimously agreed that VAR was correct to award the goal despite an initial offside flag.
2. Rangers' Hamza Igamane Red Card: VAR's decision to overturn the red card was supported.
3. St Mirren's Mikael Mandron Goal: Backed VAR's decision to award the goal despite a foul flag.
4. Kilmarnock's Penalty: Unanimously agreed to overturn a penalty awarded for a challenge by Kristers Tobers.
5. Aberdeen's Ante Palaversa Goal: Correct to disallow the goal due to an offside in the build-up.

Conclusion

This match has reignited the debate over VAR's effectiveness and consistency in football. While technology aims to ensure fairness, its application can sometimes lead to more confusion than clarity. The Scottish FA's panel's rulings will undoubtedly influence future discussions and potential reforms in how VAR is utilized in Scottish football.