VAR has been controversial since the moment it arrived in Scottish football. It is well documented that Celtic have had major concerns with the review system, both among the fanbase and within the club itself. To decide whether this displeasure is justified, one only has to look at the decisions and issues involving Celtic and the review system this season.
VAR was first in operation at a Celtic game, when the Hoops face Hearts at Tynecastle on 22 October 2022. During the match, three decisions were reviewed and one major call was not. The system firstly denied Celtic a goal from Anthony Ralston for a very soft foul. This was a highly contentious call which many felt was incorrect, though it was possible to see why the decision had been made. The next VAR involvement awarded Hearts a penalty, correctly overturning the referee’s decision. No complaints there. However, when Celtic pushed to restore their lead, VAR failed to award a penalty for a clear handball in the Hearts box. This was an incredible decision, which left Ange Postecoglou holding his head in his hands in disbelief. And it didn’t stop there. Late in the second half Liel Abada scored a crucial goal, which the linesman ruled offside. Replays suggest the call was close, yet there was no VAR review! Sky Sports’ Andy Walker later revealed that VAR was not used because the system relied upon the broadcaster’s footage and Sky were unable to hold the review due to programme time constraints! Celtic won the match 4-3, but VAR possibly cost them up to three goals.
❌ Ange Postecoglou couldn’t believe it when Celtic were not awarded a penalty after claims for a handball against Michael Smith. Was that the right call? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/aY9LoXrnsX
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 22, 2022
👀 James McFadden believes Nick Walsh made the wrong decision to disallow Anthony Ralston’s goal while John Hartson says VAR got two decisions wrong in the first-half ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I8coHrOplw
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 22, 2022
In Celtic’s next league game, they got a VAR decision in their favour when the review system correctly stuck with the referee’s decision for a clear handball. The Hoops were 2-0 up at the time, with not long remaining.
The review system was once again used in Celtic’s next SPFL fixture, at home to Dundee United. With the Bhoys leading 1-0, a farcical penalty was awarded to the visitors. A cross came into the box, which Celtic’s Bernabei attempted to flick clear. The Argentine missed his clearance and the attacker headed the ball against his arm, which was positioned behind his back. Somehow, this was deemed a penalty kick for a handball. There was nothing deliberate or unnatural about the player’s arm position. Steven Fletcher dispatched from the spot to level proceedings. Aside from that slice of luck, Dundee United also benefited from midfielder Craig Sibbald managing to get away without a red card after he planted his studs into Giakoumakis’ chest. Fortunately, Celtic won the match 4-2, but it was another set of controversies endured for Ange’s team.
on what fucking planet is this a handball and deserving of a booking from bernabei?? what in the actual fuck
is this what VAR is going to be moving forward as this is fucking embarassing, cmon tae fuck now
never a handball to ANY team, and the BOOKING ON TOP?!#celtic #var pic.twitter.com/LPrBH6XFdS
— Owen Chief (@_OwenChief) November 5, 2022
Next up for Celtic was a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell. As usual, another VAR controversy surrounded the fixture. The Hoops led 1-0 in a tight match, when Jota doubled their advantage on the hour mark. The linesman raised his flag for offside – a tough call, which was worthy of being reviewed. Incredibly, the angle used by VAR was from a camera at the opposite end of the pitch from the back of the stand! It was claimed that this was the only angle available. However, Motherwell’s CEO spoke out and insisted that there are cameras positioned all along the pitch and at both 18 yard boxes – cameras which were installed at great cost. This revelation prompted Celtic to raise concerns with the SFA, who then stated that they were using images from one of the broadcasters, who just happened to be focusing on Ange Postecoglou in the dugout rather than the action when the goal was scored! Despite the bizarre angle used, it does look as if Jota was actually onside. Nevertheless, Celtic did go on to get a second goal and win 2-1.
The VAR angle shown at Motherwell vs Celtic 😂 pic.twitter.com/NFpxn87Vts
— Fitba Patter (@FitbaPatter) November 9, 2022
BREAKING! Celtic want ‘answers’ over Jota VAR row as they ask SFA why viewers weren’t shown clearer Motherwell anglehttps://t.co/icC5z9RUGq pic.twitter.com/tSAGTHhfud
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) November 10, 2022
After overcoming a string of VAR decisions, some outright wrong and some contentious, but none of those in Celtic’s favour – Ange’s side prepared to welcome Ross County on 12 November 2022. Yet again, there was an appalling decision given against the Hoops. County were awarded a penalty for a handball when the ball struck Matt O’Reilly’s hand, which was positioned by his side, at speed. It is questionable as to whether the ‘offence’ took place inside the box or not, but it is beyond doubt that the player’s hand was in a natural position. As so often has been the case, this decision was made at a really crucial point in the game. Indeed, the resultant spot kick put Ross County ahead. Celtic showed great character to overcome this setback to win the game 2-1. If it were not for the spirit of the players, VAR could have cost the team an alarming number of points by now.
VAR didn’t feature in Celtic’s 1-0 victory at Aberdeen after the World Cup, but it returned with more controversy for our next fixture, against Livingston. Celtic were leading 2-1, in an evidently close match, when David Turnbull helped the ball forwards. The Livingston defender deliberately headed the ball, but miscued his header and the ball spun backwards to Liel Abada. The Celtic winger took full advantage and put the Celts 3-1 up, sealing the points – or so he thought. Incredibly, the decision/action to head the ball was not deemed deliberate by the VAR system and thus Abada was ruled offside. This flies in the face of the rule book and a number of similar decisions in other games around the world.
The disallowed goal….?
Offside initial pass….comes onside… then the liv players misheads it into the path of Abada…?
Ref and lino see no issue live time….VAR can’t decide, refs takes a look and then gives offside…embarrassing shit… pic.twitter.com/eaR79DRdKQ
— EnoughisEnough (@theoldgovanarm1) December 21, 2022
That is the point , if the defender deliberately played the ball then he plays Abada Onside . Watch the video of Mbappe goal higher up thread and ex Refs comments . As he said he does not like the new Rule but according to the Rules it’s a goal
— William Scullion (@WilliamScullio7) December 22, 2022
St Johnstone visited Paradise in Celtic’s next game. A possible goal was ruled not to have crossed the line for Celtic and David Turnbull was sent off – both courtesy of VAR and both were correct calls. Therefore, no complaints on match defining matters there. However, every VAR decision required in the match, of which there were many, took between two and four minutes. This utterly ruined Celtic’s momentum, as St Johnstone midfielder Cammy MacPherson publicly admitted.
A welcome break from VAR controversy was afforded to Celtic in their 4-0 thumping of Hibernian. The Celts were even awarded a penalty, quite correctly, for a handball. The Bhoys were winning 2-0 and sitting pretty at the time.
It wouldn’t be long before VAR would rear it’s ugly head again though. Last week, Celtic faced theRangers at Ibrox. As we all know, the match was drawn 2-2, but a major call went against Celtic when Connor Goldson appeared to play basketball in the box. The defender pushed the ball over his head with the use of two hands, which had been raised prior to Starfelt’s shot being made. Given the precedent set with handball decisions this season, one would deem the action to be a deliberate handball and VAR to issue a penalty. It was not forthcoming, much to the shock of Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd. When that duo are calling for a Celtic penalty at Ibrox then it’s pretty blatant!
What Rangers and Celtic pundits said as John Hartson unleashes on ’embarrassing’ Connor Goldson handball snubhttps://t.co/g3VZI6tW2E pic.twitter.com/2TWG14QonX
— Record Celtic Podcast (@DR_Celtic) January 2, 2023
Let’s play a game… pic.twitter.com/H2wfVOWuwX
— Jordan (@JordanKonieczka) January 2, 2023
Four very contentious handball decisions involving Celtic since VAR was introduced. In all four cases, the decision is given against Celtic. pic.twitter.com/19cTP6lcqW
— David 🍀 (@thedavidcurrie) January 3, 2023
There were no controversial VAR calls in Celtic’s latest match, against Kilmarnock. A goal was disallowed for us, correctly given offside.
This article covers every match since VAR has been introduced. A couple of clearly correct decisions have gone Celtic’s way at times when we held commanding leads. However, a number of wrong calls have gone against Celtic and every contentious one has too. Meanwhile, there have been some bizarre issues with the technology and angles used.
Our review of the review system is that it has made a number of clear and obvious mistakes!
More VAR controversy yesterday, I foolishly thought its introduction would lessen controversy but it seems not. After the decision at Tynecastle earlier in the season affecting Celtic & yesterday's affecting Dundee United, it'd be best if refs came out & explained decisions? pic.twitter.com/L61TDGqA2U
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) January 9, 2023