SHOCKING: Scottish FA panel FINALLY delivers verdict on Celtic and Rangers penalty calls and Connor Barron high boot

Scottish FA Panel Delivers Verdict on Celtic and Rangers Penalty Calls and Connor Barron High Boot

The Scottish Football Association’s (SFA) Key Match Incident Review Panel has released its findings on 16 critical incidents from the previous weekend’s matches, including contentious penalty calls involving Celtic and Rangers. The panel’s decisions provide valuable insight into the application of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology and referee decision-making.

Celtic’s Denied Penalty Against Motherwell

The panel unanimously agreed (4:1) that Celtic should have been awarded a penalty kick against Motherwell for a push on Daizen Maeda by Stephen O’Donnell. Despite the goal being correctly disallowed for handball, the panel felt that the foul occurred before the handball and therefore a penalty kick should have been awarded.

This decision highlights the complexities of VAR interventions and the importance of identifying sequence of events. The panel’s finding raises questions about referee David Dickinson’s and VAR operator Alan Muir’s failure to detect the foul.

Connor Barron’s High Boot: No Red Card

The panel concluded that Rangers midfielder Connor Barron’s high boot challenge on St Mirren’s Toyosi Olusanya did not warrant a red card. This decision contradicts former SFA referee Des Roache’s assertion that the tackle was identical to Hyun Jun-Yang’s red-card offense last season.

While the panel acknowledged that a caution could be supported, they ultimately deemed the challenge not severe enough to warrant a red card. This ruling sparks debate about consistency in referee decision-making and the nuances of assessing challenges.

St Mirren Penalty Claim

The panel was divided (3:2) on the decision not to award St Mirren a penalty for Neraysho Kasanwirjo’s foul on Olusanya. Two panel members believed a penalty should have been awarded and VAR intervention should have taken place.

This split decision underscores the subjective nature of referee decisions and the challenges of applying VAR protocol. The report’s conclusion that the on-field decision was “not clearly incorrect” raises questions about the threshold for VAR intervention.

Rangers Penalty Claim

The panel unanimously supported the on-field decision not to award Rangers a penalty for Cyriel Dessers’ fall under Ellery Balcombe’s challenge. This finding reinforces the importance of maintaining consistency in referee decision-making.

Implications and Future Directions

The Key Match Incident Review Panel’s findings offer valuable insights into the complexities of VAR technology and referee decision-making. These decisions have significant implications for Scottish football:

1. Consistency: The panel’s findings highlight the need for consistency in referee decision-making, particularly in assessing challenges and penalty claims.
2. VAR Protocol: The report underscores the importance of refining VAR protocol to ensure accurate and consistent interventions.
3. Referee Training: The decisions emphasize the need for ongoing referee training to enhance detection of fouls and accurate decision-making.
4. Fan Engagement: Transparency in the review process fosters trust and understanding among fans, promoting a more informed and engaged supporter base.

In conclusion, the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incident Review Panel provides essential oversight and guidance on critical match incidents. Their findings facilitate improved understanding of VAR technology and referee decision-making, ultimately enhancing the integrity and spectacle of Scottish football.