Referee Alan Muir has left his role as a specialist VAR official. The 49-year-old official took up the role in the summer but made a number of mistakes, which ultimately contributed towards losing his job.
Muir was at the centre of controversy after Celtic’s defeat to Hibernian at Easter Rd in February. The official deemed Alistair Johnston’s cutback to Daizen Maeda for the equaliser to be out of play despite no conclusive proof. Following the game, Muir was absent from appointments as speculation mounted regarding his future.
As reported by Sun Sport, Muir held crisis talks with Head of Refereeing Willie Collum and VAR manager Martin Atkinson, which resulted in the Aberdeen-born official leaving his post.
The report claims that Muir accepted his fate but will likely remain at the SFA in the role of a referee observer.
Brendan was furious after the game at Easter Rd but it was not an isolated incident. During the win at Fir Park earlier in the season, Muir decided not to award Celtic a goal or a penalty after Daizen Maeda was fouled by Stephen O’Donnell. The Japanese forward wasn’t claiming for the goal but instead protested for a penalty. However, Muir cleared it and it was later revealed to be the wrong call.
Last season, Muir was in charge for the game at Rugby Park when Sead Haksabanovic was brought down in the box with what appeared to be a penalty to everyone except the ref and his VAR.
Muir was on the end of awful abuse from Rangers supporters in the wake of Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup win in December after a debatable call went against the Ibrox side. It may have been the case that the referee and the SFA agreed that the official’s position was becoming a distraction given the nature of the blunders.
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