The VAR controversy continues to spark debate in football, and the Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and St Johnstone was no exception. A contentious penalty decision was awarded to Celtic’s James Forrest in the second half, after he made a determined run into the box, navigating through several defenders. The on-field referee, Calum Scott, initially pointed to the spot, but the decision was met with skepticism by commentators Allan Preston and Pat Bonner.
Preston questioned the call, saying, “The referee doesn’t see this… I don’t think the referee sees it for the bodies in front of him. It takes him so long to make a decision here.” Bonner added, “I think somebody has called that, other than the referee. It didn’t look (like a penalty). He may have been clipped. It’s a magnificent run into the box.” Preston further emphasized his doubts, stating, “We are giving penalties for that? He runs across him. That’s not a penalty, for me. I don’t think the referee sees it. I really don’t. I think he has guessed here – from where he is, I am not sure he sees it. There are that many bodies in front of him.”
The debate was soon rendered moot, as VAR intervened and advised the referee to review the decision. After consulting the footage, Scott overturned the penalty call, which didn’t ultimately impact the game’s outcome, given Celtic’s comfortable lead. Forrest’s reaction to the overturned penalty showed his disappointment, but the win marked a successful day for the team.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate around VAR’s role in football and the challenges of making accurate decisions in high-pressure situations. While VAR aims to improve refereeing accuracy, its application can sometimes be inconsistent, leading to confusion and controversy. In this case, the overturned penalty decision was likely justified, but the initial call and subsequent debate underscored the complexities of using VAR in football.
