Fresh footage has surfaced online regarding the contentious VAR decision during the match between Hibernian and Celtic.
Celtic appeared to have leveled the score late in the game when Daizen Maeda netted from close range, only for a VAR review to intervene.
The goal was subsequently disallowed after the ball was judged to have gone out of play before Alistair Johnston delivered his cross into the box.
Initially, the goal was awarded, but following a VAR review, referee Steven McLean was informed that the ball had indeed gone out of play, leading to a goal kick being given and the goal being annulled.
Brendan Rodgers revealed that McLean explained the decision was based on a factual assessment of whether the ball was in or out of play, determined by VAR official Alan Muir.
According to VAR protocol, the on-field decision should only be overturned or reviewed for factual calls or if there is evidence suggesting the referee missed something or made an incorrect decision.
The IFAB laws state: “3. The original decision given by the referee will not be changed unless the video review clearly shows that the decision was a ‘clear and obvious error’.”
A subsequent section adds: “For factual decisions e.g. position of an offence or player (offside), point of contact (handball/foul), location (inside or outside the penalty area), ball out of play etc. a ‘VAR-only review’ is usually appropriate but an ‘on-field review’ (OFR) can be used for a factual decision if it will help manage the players/match or ‘sell’ the decision (e.g. a crucial match-deciding decision late in the game).”
Link to the video: (https://x.com/kevinmilesaway/status/1893616218738659779?s=19)
The newly circulated video clip on social media captures the moment Johnston crosses the ball from an angle near the goal line. The clip, shared widely, includes a slow-motion replay showing Johnston making contact with the ball, raising questions about whether it was still in play.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor expressed his disbelief at the decision to disallow the goal. He stated: “Yes, absolutely. We’ve seen all the angles.
“The bench was convinced that it was a goal. The linesman didn’t put his flag up, so the on-field decision is a goal. From what we’ve seen then, it’s a big call to overturn.
“That’s part of the game. People make mistakes and you have to accept it and get on with it.”
Rodgers commented: “Obviously, I am disappointed with the goal that was disallowed as our momentum was high at that point in the game.
“I’m hoping to see conclusive evidence that it (the ball) was out. The linesman, on this side, he had his flag up quite a lot today — but, for the goal, he clearly had one of the best views in the ground and he kept his flag down, which tells me that he felt it was in.
“If it’s the case, then you’ve got to go and review it with VAR, but you’re taking an angle from the 18-yard line. If you’re taking the angle from the 18-yard line, and you can tell me that you can absolutely say 100 per cent (it was out), you’re having a guess.
“These are big games to be guessing in, especially at this point in the season. So we were disappointed with that, and that’s what killed our momentum a little bit. I felt it was harsh on the team.”
