I’m Disappointed with the Decision But I understand WHY it Was Given” – Hearts Manager, Robbie Neilson Makes a SHOCKING Admission on WHY the Controversial Penalty was Denied…

The Controversial Penalty Decision: A Deep Dive into the VAR Review

The recent Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts was marred by controversy when a penalty decision was overturned by VAR. The incident occurred in the 30th minute when a Lawrence Shankland header from a set-piece struck Celtic defender Liam Scales. Referee Colin Steven initially awarded a penalty to Hearts, but after a VAR review, the decision was reversed.

The controversy surrounding the reversal stemmed from questions about whether the ball had first touched Shankland’s arm before hitting Scales. However, replays clarified that this was not the case. At half-time, BBC Scotland commentator Liam McLeod provided insight into the reasoning behind the decision, explaining the thought process of both the referee and VAR in reaching the final outcome.

McLeod stated, “The referee initially judged that Scales’ arm was in an unnatural position and that the ball had traveled a significant distance to be considered a handball. However, upon review, it was determined that the arm was in a natural position and that the ball had not traveled far enough to constitute a handball. Additionally, the ball struck the arm too high to be penalised.”

Pundit Michael Stewart supported the final decision, affirming, “Yes, the right call was made. Liam’s explanation aligns with what we observed and what we thought during the game. It’s reassuring to see that referees are making the correct decisions based on the rules.”

The incident highlights the importance of VAR in ensuring accurate decisions are made. The technology allows for a more detailed review of incidents, reducing the likelihood of errors. In this case, the VAR review correctly identified that Scales’ arm was in a natural position, and the ball had not traveled far enough to constitute a handball.

SFA Head of Referee Operations Willie Collum discussed the new VAR rules on Clyde 1 Super Scoreboard midweek, revealing that incidents from such close range should not penalise the defender. This common-sense approach, which involves both referees and VAR, was simply not present last season, with Tomoki Iwata wrongly penalised in the reverse fixture.

The controversy surrounding the penalty decision overshadowed an otherwise entertaining match between Celtic and Hearts. The Hoops dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Hearts, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Shankland causing problems for the Celtic defense.

In the end, the match finished 0-0, with both teams sharing the spoils. However, the controversy surrounding the penalty decision will be remembered as a turning point in the match. The correct decision was made, but the incident highlights the need for continued improvement in the use of VAR.

As the Scottish Premiership continues, it is essential that referees and VAR officials work together to ensure accurate decisions are made. The technology is in place to help, but it is up to those using it to make the correct calls. Only then can fans have confidence in the decisions made during matches.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the penalty decision in the Celtic vs. Hearts match highlights the importance of VAR in ensuring accurate decisions are made. The technology allows for a more detailed review of incidents, reducing the likelihood of errors. While there will always be controversy surrounding certain decisions, it is essential that referees and VAR officials work together to ensure the correct calls are made.