St Mirren have followed the example of Hibs by getting an apology from the SFA over a VAR error, this time from their match against Ross County on Tuesday night.
While those clubs push the SFA for explanations and share the detail with their supporters Michael Nicholson says nothing and does nothing as he enjoys the thrills of the SPFL Premiership title race. Some might describe it as levelling up.
Away to Ross County on Tuesday night Chris Graham missed a clear handball, incredibly, Greg Aitken, a full time VAR official also decided to miss the handball when his suggestion of a check on the VAR monitor would have got both officials off the hook.
At lunchtime on Thursday St Mirren stated:
St Mirren Football Club can confirm it has spoken to the Scottish Football Association’s Referee Department regarding the decision not to check for a penalty after a handball in Tuesday night’s draw with Ross County.
The club believes VAR made an error by not recommending an On-Field Review following a handball by a Ross County defender in the first-half.
Having been allowed to review the full VAR audio and footage it is clear there has been a mistake in the process. There was a quick VAR review that centred around a shirt pull on James Bolton in the box. We also believe this could have been a penalty but understand that is subjective. However, the handball was a factual event, and the Referee Department has agreed that this should have led to an On-Field Review.
While we welcome continued independent reviews aimed at making the process as robust as possible, and appreciate the openness and transparency from the Referee Department in reviewing this incident, we remain frustrated and disappointed that the correct process wasn’t followed on this occasion.
At Motherwell on Sunday Celtic were victims of a similar incident.
With the match level at 1-1 Yang Hyun-jun created some space, when he shot for goal Dan Casey raised his arm to deflect the shot. Willie Collum had a clear view of it, Gavin Duncan reviewed it on VAR and decided not to get involved.
Fortunately for Collum and Duncan they know that Nicholson is on mute, at the 2022 Celtic AGM he told shareholders to expect teething issues with the introduction of VAR. No timescale was offered.
Less than a fortnight ago Hibs raised a similar handball/VAR issue with the SFA. David Munro was the referee, David Dickinson was on VAR with the Edinburgh club denied a clear cut penalty.
Since becoming Celtic CEO in September 2022 Nicholson hasn’t said a word outside of his AGM obligations.
?? “I’m really surprised they haven’t sent Willie Collum to the monitor there.”
Celtic wanted a penalty for this incident. Did the officials get it right? Watch Motherwell v Celtic live on @SkyFootball ? pic.twitter.com/rWuXNAuEzd
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 25, 2024
BREAKING! Hibs receive SFA apology over Aberdeen handball as ‘serious’ VAR error sparks crunch talkshttps://t.co/Sje6tf5EUy pic.twitter.com/9jnmEJgpRi
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) February 19, 2024
? “We remain frustrated and disappointed that the correct process wasn’t followed on this occasion.”
St Mirren say the SFA have admitted that a penalty claim in their 1-1 draw with Ross County should have been checked by VAR ? https://t.co/9XqhCJhUo3
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) February 29, 2024
Oh Yeah – Lord Fcukin Lucan-Nicholson…
A waste of £700,000 good Celtic supporter’s money –
Just like The Fat Bastard that appointed him as well !
Yellow cowardly shills in drab old grey suits for drab old grey men !!!
They are probably beefing each other in the shower.
Couldn’t have put it better myself.
Sin e we are on the subject of handball decisions what about that fanny of a so called manager at new klub over in ibrox,he was screaming like a banshee on the radio today because Killie got a penalty.
His quote was that,how can they give a penalty for it hitting a sevco player on the hand in the penalty box,I kid you not he actually quoted that.
So if that twat is saying no wonder Nicholson is keeping his trap shut,he knows better than to rock the boat.
It’s a continuing disgrace that Nicholson, a Lawwell/Desmond (tory bastards’) puppet, refuses to speak up for Celtic FC just like the fat slug Lawwell did before him. Although Lawwell would speak up to shop supporters to the odious Police Scotland when he felt like it. Unforgiveable scumbag.
It can only be deduced that Nicholson is on around £3/4 million annually for doing the bidding of Desmond and Lawwell. This is absolutely astounding in that Celtic PLC is being treated as Desmond’s private company even though he owns about 1/3rd of the share capital and ALL of this is AGAINST best company practice.
If I’m correct, and I believe I am, then the 3 of them should be hunted out of CP and into the arms of the Fraud Squad or the City of London police. (or even the River Clyde but they would dirty the water) 🙂
Oh, and it’s all happening in plain sight! What TF are the regulators doing?