VAR arrived in Scottish football today, apparently it would take the sting out of many refereeing decisions with cold evidence presented to television viewers.
Instead, today’s first real day of operation confirmed many suspicions.
Celtic had a goal disallowed because Nick Walsh blew too early, a fake delay then took place before Steven McLean backed up the decision. It got even worse when the two match officials denied Celtic a penalty when Michael Smith raised his hand to block a pass from James Forrest.
Ange Postecoglou’s side managed to get 4-3 in front but it only required one more honest mistake to result in dropped points.
In stoppage time Liel Abada was involved in a marginal call, he raced on to put the ball past Craig Gordon but assistant referee, David Roome, a close friend of Bobby Madden raised his flag.
After another short delay Walsh restarted play but Sky Sports never showed the VAR lines to justify the decision. Those lines would have guided McLean on his decision but weren’t shared with Sky Sports or BBC Sportscene.
VAR lines were shown on Sky Sports to justify Lawrence Shankland’s second goal, for reasons known only to Crawford Allan no such evidence was put out to justify disallowing the Abada ‘goal’.
Our other goal chopped off pic.twitter.com/xdh14EiPBS
— Celtic Goals Original (@celticgoalsreal) October 22, 2022
That’s the FIRST ever Var decision that the broadcaster hasn’t shown a replay
— Pleasetalktomeless ?? (@talktomeless121) October 22, 2022
Looked on to me??????
Where’s all our replays with the VAR lines etc or have we got the cheap sh#te version?
— TheHoops?????????? (@67_Celtic_1888) October 22, 2022
@Shannon90_ if he’s off he’s off, but why no show the lines? Looks level to me
— Joseph Davies (@jvdavies17) October 22, 2022
I have to say I thought it was off at the time, but seeing it again is incredibly tight.
The near side defender’s trailing foot might be playing him on.
Strange we didn’t see the lines though!
— mmabhoy (@mmabhoy1888) October 22, 2022
Why were the VAR lines not shown?
— nick mcglone ?? (@Nick_Walfrid) October 22, 2022
This was onside. Why was it not shown on the screen? Do we have a lesser standsrd of VAR which doesnt show the lines?
— Kiwibhoy (@KevinBuilding) October 22, 2022
Funny how we never got to see the lines ????????
Blatant— Green Eyes ??????????? (@kramnosbig77) October 22, 2022
We should go big tomorrow on the var. I generally don’t agree with call for the board to do so. But on the first weekend of VAR simple question, why did McLean not ask Walsh to review the hand ball. This is an open goal for us to expose him
Where the fuck is our club regarding these decisions,CHEATING of the highest quality with technical technology backing it up.
The games a BOGEY and the BAW is well and TRULY BURST.
Let us nip it the bud right now please Celtic board defend our club us fans spend our hard earned cash following our team home n away buying merchandise that Walsh is pictured in a sevco training suit he must be employed by them through their youth system n McLean the var guy well we all remember Hampden act now Celtic after a victory
Editor: The current Celtic board will never criticise, call out or expose the SFA. Any hint of that and the details of the architect and fat fingerprints all over the 2012 Five Way Agreement will mysteriously emerge.
nothing wrong with var its the cheating @unts from the sfa who control it,did we really expect any justice from this blue mob not a chance our team playing aginst 2 teams today as john harston said on sky today wee rangers and cheating bast@@@@ sfa
Step up the celtic board
Var lines not showing proves the length some people will go to to win. No point in Var if its the same corrupt officials. Behind it. Cheating of the highest order