Keith Hackett, a former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief, expressed his disbelief at the lack of punishment handed to Celtic forward Yang Hyun-jun for his “reckless” challenge on Leon Bailey during Aston Villa’s recent Champions League match. The incident occurred at Villa Park, where Villa secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic.
In the second half of the match, Yang Hyun-jun took a kick at the back of Bailey’s calf, a move that many considered deserving of a yellow card. However, much to the surprise of onlookers, the referee, Clement Turpin, did not issue a booking for the challenge. Hackett highlighted the clear indicators that this challenge should have been penalized, as it met the definition of recklessness according to the laws of the game.
Moreover, the lack of VAR intervention further compounded the frustration felt by fans and pundits alike. With VAR unable to intervene in cases of potential yellow card offenses, Turpin’s decision stood uncontested. This limitation in the technology has led to debates on its effectiveness and the need for improvements in its scope of review.
Despite the controversial incident, the match went on to be a sensational display of skill and determination from both teams, with Ollie Watkins emerging as the match-winner after Celtic’s Adam Idah had equalized Villa’s early lead through Morgan Rogers’ double.
While Villa fans celebrated the victory, there remains a lingering sense of injustice surrounding Yang’s challenge on Bailey. The perceived leniency in officiating decisions continues to be a point of contention in football, emphasizing the importance of consistency and fairness in the enforcement of the rules.
