Celtic fans have finally received an explanation as to why Kyogo Furuhashi was denied a penalty against Kilmarnock during the opening game of the Scottish Premiership season at Parkhead.
The Japanese striker, a key figure in Celtic’s attack, was taken down by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Ross McCrorie while attempting to reach a free-kick delivered by former Celtic star Matt O’Riley.
Just as Kyogo was about to connect with the ball, McCrorie rushed out and collided with him, sending the Celtic forward to the ground.
On the day, the referee was Don Robertson, with Greg Aitken serving as the VAR operator. The decision not to award a penalty sparked immediate debate among pundits, former referees, and supporters alike, many of whom were left baffled as to why Celtic were not awarded a spot-kick.
The Scottish FA has now released the audio and footage of the incident, offering transparency and providing some insight into how the officials arrived at their contentious decision.
How VAR Denied Celtic’s Penalty
In a new monthly podcast launched by the Scottish FA, aptly titled The VAR Review, the steps taken by the officials to reach their decision are revealed.
The footage, accompanied by the audio from the match, offers Celtic fans a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process. The exchange between the referee and VAR unfolded as follows:
Referee: “No, no. Not for me.”
VAR: “Can you show me it again? I think that’s the exact same as earlier.”
Referee: “When he comes out it looks like the goalkeeper makes himself bigger. I don’t see a second movement or anything but I’m not in a good angle.”
VAR: “Although I think he’s maybe getting the ball. But it’s a natural collision, isn’t it?”
Referee: “Let the VAR check. Let them check.”
VAR: “Don, still checking the potential penalty. Can we see the free kick?”
Referee: “I don’t know if he’s just made himself big and not moved or if he’s taken him out afterwards.”
VAR: “So I think he’s just made himself big and not moved.”
Willie Collum Admits Officials Got It Wrong
Willie Collum, the new Head of Referees for the SFA, has since spoken out about the decision. He admitted that both Don Robertson and Greg Aitken got it wrong on the day, suggesting that a penalty should have been awarded in Celtic’s favour.
Collum stated, “We believe this was the wrong decision. We have coached the referees and the VARs that a penalty kick should have been awarded here. It is an unexpected free-kick with the way the ball is chipped. It catches the on-field referee by surprise and it’s very difficult for the referee to find an angle round that wall to get a proper view.
“The Celtic player clearly gets ahead and touches the ball past the goalkeeper and we then think the goalkeeper’s actions are reckless. An off-field review should have been requested and the referee asked to come to the monitor.”
While Collum’s candidness is appreciated, his admission that a penalty should have been awarded is of little consolation to Celtic supporters, especially given that their team went on to win 4-0.
The concern for many fans lies not in the outcome of this particular match but in the larger issue of refereeing decisions, even with the help of VAR, being mishandled.
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time that Celtic have been caught up in VAR controversies. Since the introduction of the technology in Scotland in October 2021, the club has been involved in numerous high-profile incidents where the decisions were fiercely debated.
While VAR is intended to bring clarity and accuracy to decision-making, for many Celtic supporters, it seems to be introducing new frustrations.
The incident against Kilmarnock has only added to the growing list of questionable calls involving the club, leaving fans wondering whether improvements in refereeing will ever be consistently reflected on the pitch, rather than being discussed after the fact.
Collum’s acknowledgment of the error is a step toward greater transparency, but it does little to allay concerns that basic decisions are still being misjudged.
Celtic supporters will be hoping that this season sees a marked improvement in the accuracy of officiating, especially with VAR in play. However, for now, the frustration continues.