Two former SFA category one referees have criticized Alan Muir’s decision to disallow Daizen Maeda’s equalizer for Celtic at Easter Road on Saturday.
Initially, it appeared that Maeda had leveled the game for Celtic with seven minutes of normal time remaining, as the Japanese forward slotted the ball into the net from an Alistair Johnston cross.
However, Alan Muir overturned the on-field decision, deeming it a ‘factual overturn’ to award a goal kick instead of a goal after reviewing the incident from Clydesdale House.
Now, two former SFA grade one referees, Des Roache and Steve Conroy, have shared their perspectives on the controversial incident in the capital.
Here’s what they said:
“We don’t have goal-line technology, so it’s impossible to clarify whether the ball was still in. They can’t see it clearly from the angle they’ve got, so it’s not clear and obvious – therefore, VAR shouldn’t have got involved.”
Brendan Rodgers praised Hibs vlogger
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Celtic will NOT be issuing any statements regarding what he believes was an incorrect decision to disallow the goal.
Speaking in yesterday’s media conference ahead of Aberdeen’s visit to Glasgow’s east end tonight, the 52-year-old Hoops boss said: “I’ve seen one image of one right on the actual goal line which was an incredible shot really and that looked in.”
Rodgers continued: “It’s more the process really. I was disappointed for the guys in the game, Steve and the referee and the linesman, because they actually got it right in the game. I didn’t feel that they should have been overruled on that without a definitive answer which is what I said at the time.”
Alan Muir’s controversial track record:
This is yet another incident involving Alan Muir on VAR that has been clouded in controversy and confusion.
The SFA’s key match incident panel will provide their assessment of Maeda’s disallowed goal on Friday. It will also be intriguing to hear Head of Refereeing Willie Collum’s explanation for not awarding the goal in the SFA’s monthly VAR Review Show, which airs at the beginning of each month.
Meanwhile, Celtic remain 13 points clear at the top of the table despite suffering their second league defeat of the season. Their nearest title challengers, Rangers, were also beaten 2-0 at home by St Mirren on Saturday afternoon, which saw Brendan Rodgers outlast another Ibrox manager following the dismissal of Philippe Clement on Sunday evening.
