The tense encounter between Aberdeen and Celtic took a dramatic turn when a crucial goal by Duk was disallowed by VAR, causing a major stir among pundits and fans alike. After falling behind 2-0, Jimmy Thelin’s team produced a spirited fightback at the home of the Scottish Premiership champions, with Duk seemingly putting them ahead with a late strike. The ball, delivered from a free-kick by Aberdeen defender Slobodan Rubezic, ricocheted off Duk and crossed the line past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to even the score at 2-2.
However, the celebrations were short-lived as VAR intervened to review the goal and ultimately ruled it out for a handball infringement. Although referee Nick Walsh had initially given the goal, VAR official Greg Aitken made the decisive call to overturn the decision, much to the disappointment of the Aberdeen players and fans. The controversial incident sparked contrasting reactions from pundits, with Billy Dodds expressing doubts about the ruling, citing the strict interpretation of the rules, while Pat Bonner defended VAR’s intervention, emphasizing the importance of upholding fairness and accuracy in the game.
The use of VAR in this high-stakes match not only added an extra layer of tension and intrigue but also highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the technology and its impact on the outcome of matches. Despite the disappointment felt by Aberdeen and their supporters, the decision ultimately ensured that the game remained level and the integrity of the competition was maintained. The aftermath of this controversial VAR intervention is sure to continue fueling discussions and debates among football fans and experts in the days to come.
