Faulty VAR and Unique Angle as disgracefully Jota is missing

Jota’s wonderful goal was the best of the three that Celtic scored at Fir Park last night but he has been denied his rightful place in today’s Unique Angle by the ‘ludge-VAR officials’ (Jota’s wonderful goal was the best of the three that Celtic scored at Fir Park last night but he has been denied his rightful place in today’s Unique Angle by the ‘ludge-VAR officials’ (as per Sandman’s Definitive Ratings) operating their inadequate, Mickey-Mouse technology that somehow determined that the Portuguese winger was offside.

Let’s be frank, It was a guess, probably a biased guess, but nothing more than that. We have been sold a pup by the Scottish FA who have imposed a cheap ‘n’ nasty version of the technology on us and for games that aren’t being shown live on Sky Sports – ie the vast majority – and it is simply not fit for purpose. The image released last night that ‘proved’ Jota was offside was as comical as it was tragic.

Talking about not being fit for purpose, the Scottish FA’s selection of staffers for the VAR decision-making leaves a lot to be desired to say the least. On Tuesday night there were three penalties in the game between Livingston and Aberdeen, in only once instance was there an appeal for a penalty. In each case VAR review showed that the ball had hit an arm so penalties were awarded, ludicrously.

However if that is the rule that is the rule although Celtic supporters have quite correctly been asking why James Forrest wasn’t given a penalty at Tynecastle?

Last night that understanding of the new rule in Scottish football was thrown out the window when at Ibrox the ball struck a Rangers arm inside the penalty box and neither referee John Beaton nor the VAR officials had the stomach to award a penalty against the team that the referee himself supports.

So the new rule appears to be any contact with the ball inside the box by an arm or hand will be a penalty unless it benefits Celtic or harms theRangers. Despite all this Celtic have actually increased our lead at the top of the league, looking down on theRangers since VAR was introduced.  Quite remarkable really.

And talking of Livingston that tackle last night on Carl Starfelt might remind you of a similar challenge by our old pal Ryan Christie at the Tony Macaroni a few seasons ago. Willie Collum was the referee that day was he not and he couldn’t wait to flash a straight red card at the the Celtic midfielder. Last night neither Collum or the’ ludge-VAR’ operative were interested in making the correct call. Funny that.

Here’s the Unique Angle from Celtic TV featuring Kyogo and Maeda but disgracefully not Jota….

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. As regards the penalty claim against Sevco it’s difficult to see if the ball hits his hand/arm before or after it hits his face. So inconclusive in my book like many of the VAR decisions so far

  2. The Rangers one does look like a penalty however there is another angle from behind the Hearts player that headers the balll that shows the ball hit the defenders face and not his arm.
    As for the decisions at Fir Park: if they had gone any further back with the picture they would have been outside the dtadium.
    If they have cameras at one eighteen yard line then presumably they must have them at the other. Bizarre doesn’t cover it.