Celtic’s dramatic late win over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership stole the headlines for two key reasons this afternoon.
Nicolas Kuhn’s 87th-minute goal not only sealed a crucial 2-1 win for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but it also ensured Celtic remained unbeaten in the league as they head into the international break.
For Rodgers, the victory was a massive relief after it seemed as though the champions were on the brink of dropping precious points in Dingwall. The three points solidify Celtic’s position at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
However, while the victory itself was significant, the match ignited an online debate over why Kuhn wasn’t sent off after his goal celebration.
The German winger had already been booked earlier in the match, and many argued that his jubilant celebration, where he ran towards the travelling Celtic fans, should have warranted a second yellow card.
The controversy centred on IFAB’s Law 12, which governs goal celebrations.
IFAB’s Law 12 on ‘Celebration of a goal’
Match referee Kevin Clancy came under scrutiny for his decision not to show Kuhn a second yellow card after the winger’s celebration following his late goal.
The law, as outlined by IFAB (International Football Association Board), is quite clear about what constitutes a cautionable offence in a goal celebration. According to the law:
“Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting. Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence, but players should return as soon as possible.”
The law further states that a player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:
- Climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues.
- Acting in a provocative, derisory, or inflammatory way.
- Covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item.
- Removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt.
Had Clancy chosen to issue a second yellow for Kuhn’s celebration, many would have assumed it to be a straightforward application of the rules. But that wasn’t the case, and the decision to let Kuhn stay on the pitch has sparked considerable debate.
Celebrating with fans ‘no longer an automatic yellow’
The Behind the Whistle podcast, run by former Scottish FA referees Des Roach and Steve Conroy, weighed in on the debate, offering a more nuanced interpretation of the rules. They explained why Kuhn was allowed to remain on the field despite his previous booking.
Taking to social media, the podcast account posted on X:
“Under the current wording, it’s no longer an automatic yellow card, and the current wording is rather ambiguous. Referee’s considerations on this one are whether it was excessive, causing time-wasting, and whether it caused safety concerns or a security issue.”
They elaborated: “For us, there wasn’t an indication of time-wasting as Kevin Clancy only waved them back once and didn’t approach them to hurry them back onto the pitch.
“However, the big question is whether going to the crowd breaches that safety/security wording. Appreciating the passion of a player who believes he’s just won the game, Kuhn’s lucky – being on a yellow, he could have walked if Kevin Clancy took a sterner line.”
The online backlash following Kuhn’s goal has highlighted two things.
Firstly, many fans are aggrieved that Celtic managed to secure the win so late on.
Secondly, it has exposed lingering confusion around the enforcement of certain rules in football, particularly when it comes to celebrations and yellow cards.
For Celtic and their supporters, however, the debate will be of little concern. Their focus will be on heading into the international break with their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership secure, and the satisfaction of ending a difficult week on a high note.