Celtic are reported to be set to confront the SFA over concerns about John Beaton. Again.
The Lanarkshire based referee took charge of the Glasgow derby at Ibrox with Ange Postecoglou’s side on the wrong end of two penalty decisions in the 2-2 draw.
While Beaton pointed to the penalty spot when Fashion Sakala took a tumble he refused to do the same when Connor Goldson used two hands to deflect away a shot from Carl Starfelt.
After an apparent consultation with VAR Willie Collum the match continued with the hoops still chasing an equaliser.
Tonight, Michael Gannon of the Daily Record reports:
Celtic are set to raise major concerns over the SFA’s handling of VAR after the Connor Goldson Old Firm flashpoint became the latest video nasty for the Hoops.
Record Sport understands Parkhead chiefs are set to meet with Hampden officials regarding the ongoing issues surrounding the video assistant referee process. Celtic are unhappy at a number of calls since the set up was brought in before the World Cup – with the latest incident last Ibrox causing more angst.
The Hoops were incensed at VAR decisions that went against them in clashes against Hearts, Ross County and Dundee United. And in the derby showdown they were convinced ref John Beaton should have been instructed to take another look after the ball appeared to strike Goldson’s hand in the box in Monday’s thrilling 2-2 draw. The rule book does allow players to get off the hook if they make themselves bigger in a reflect action to protect their face.
Should Michael Nicholson demand publication of conversations between Collum and Beaton?
Yes, we must have clarity and accountability
No, lets give VAR time to get over teething troubles
In December 2018 Beaton had taken charge of a stormy match at Ibrox, Alfredo Morelos escaped without even a booking from incidents involving Scott Brown, Tony Ralston and Ryan Christie.
On 4 January 2019 a club statement read:
Celtic Football Club is surprised that there will be no disciplinary action taken by the Scottish FA regarding the incidents during the match on December 29, which have been widely addressed in the media.
It is reported that no action was taken because the match referee saw all of the incidents in question.
Given that the referee took no action at the time, this tends to suggest that such conduct, which in one instance led to a Celtic player, Anthony Ralston, being injured, is acceptable in Scottish football. That cannot be right.
On the day, Celtic did not play well enough to win the match, something we accept. However, this issue goes beyond the result of the match.
Celtic is not the only club this season to raise concerns regarding the standard of officiating at matches in Scotland, concerns which have also been shared by many commentators on the game.
In order to fully understand what is going on, Celtic, our supporters, Scottish clubs and the general Scottish football public need transparency in these matters, and we therefore call on the Scottish FA to allow the referee, John Beaton, to explain these decisions publicly as well as any match officials involved in other similar circumstances.
In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Association’s Head of Refereeing.
There was no follow up to that statement, Beaton continued to get top fixtures involving Celtic including the 2020 Scottish Cup Final against Hearts.
VAR was introduced to Scottish football in October 2022 but has been met with a wall of silence from officials with little in the way of explanations never mind accountability.
Hawkeye is apparently used for offside decisions but these are very rarely published leaving fans and the media in the dark as to why decisions have been made.
Peter Lawwell took over from Ian Bankier as Celtic chairman on January 1.
Lol throw the seals some fish that will keep them happy,let the DAFTIES (season ticket holders) and the rest think we are calling this out by demanding a meeting with the SFA.
That’s exactly what will happen here SFA (sweet fuck all)we have been here before many times and know how this movie ends.
Oh look there’s a squirrel,a quick flash of the 5 Way Agreement nothing to see here and our club are sent away with our tail between our legs,with the SFA shouting now get back to the back of the bus.
Hearts
No Penalty given when Hearts player knocked the ball away with his hand. Most pundits disagreed with the decision.
Livingstone
Penalty given – missed
Dundee United
Penalty given against Bernabie after VAR (Beaton) looked for a foul when no one claimed. No pundit agreed with the decision.
Motherwell
Jota goal disallowed with no real evidence to back up the call. Pundits were split on the call.
Ross County
Penalty given against O’Riley. No pundit agreed with the decision.
Livingstone
Abada goal ruled out (when he is in an offside position) when defender stumbles and heads the ball to him and he scores. Pundits split on this decision.
The Rangers
Penalty given against Starfelt when Sakala stands on him. Pundits split on the call.
No Penalty given when Goldson blocks the ball with raised arms. Most pundits agree it was the wrong decision.
All of the above incidents have happened since VAR came in and with the exception of Livingstone, when Celtic were already two goals up, every decision has gone against Celtic. Even by the law of averages one or two of these decisions should have gone in Celtic’s favour but none of them did.
Current refereeing and VAR appointments procedure needs scrapped. People are being scammed of a proper product.
What’s the problem? It is working exactly the way it was meant to work.
So when sevco are at least 2 goals up and comfortable no dodgy decisions in regard to penalties or players from the opposition being sent off.
Games dragging on at 0-0 time running out all of a sudden a big hairy puddin and opposition players sent off and penalties and offside goals are given to sevco.
Once again someone should be asking the question how many decisions involving VAR has gone against sevco,none.
Lawell will do nowt
And that my friends will be the last we hear of this corruption.
The daily record “online” has a headline screaming andy walker “rinses” CELTIC fan . Sorry…. I read the article and it shows walker gets “RINSED” he ends by telling (FRANK) put that to the CELTIC board and see what they say…. well andy the board has made the same point as FRANK to the SFA/SPFL without FRANK pushing them….as for the daily record “online” get a dictionary and read what the term “rinsed” means
John beaton the “referee” allowed a player to tell him how to deal with an injured player…and the same player then has a go at the grounded injured player in front of the”referee”. The same player then has a go at the referee and the referee “John beaton” takes no action…I wonder if the head of refereeing agrees that the referee “John beaton” dealing with this “rule” was correct
I think the blame lies with the VAR mob on this occasion. They should’ve told him to have a wee peek.
We need foreign refs in control of VAR
Beaton will never be a ref as long as there is a hole in his arse, but he will always be a cheat he knows what he is doing so none of us should be taken for fools.
The Celtic Board and CEO do NOT have the BALLS to challenge these people properly. They have a responsibility to their shareholders and fans to do this, but they lack the courage.
Wee Fergus would have had the SFA and the referees in a vice-like grip by this time and the cheating would have already been exposed and dealt with, because Fergus DID HAVE THE BALLS.
Mr Lawwell thinks he is a big player, but he is not. He may also be compromised by the 5 way agreement, which he must have some cognition of, despite claiming otherwise.
Celtic should bring in the lawyers, gather all the evidence together (of which there is plenty) and use legal avenues to sort this. They also should NOT be paying for the corruptly used VAR system In Scotland. The SFA are guilty of allowing cheating and UEFA and the court of arbitration should be dealing with them.
What are you waiting for Celtic? Confront them with force, not with meaningless words.
Editor: A document nodded through in July 2012 means that the Celtic board are on mute. Token statement or a whisper to a media partner but no action, not a chance.
By the way, I think Scud Missile has a valid point. We allow our Board to get away with this and “dafties” may be be an appropriate term for us.
Will a suit with proper clout from Celtic FC ,demand that referees and officials be allowed to give interviews after each game ,regarding decision making for each and every match in Scotland ? Players ,manager’s and backroom staff are arranged to speak to the Press ,etc ,after every game ,so why not the referees ? I believe that would enhance the game as a whole ,rather than staying quiet and appearing to sully the game’s reputation … Good god ,it’s not quantum computing…
we simply cannot allow beaton to ref a celtic game ever again , he’ll mis referee any sevco games he is involved in as a sevco fan , we gan’t do anything about that at the moment but the cheating cnut must never ref a celtic game ever again ,