Former SFA referee Des Roache has expressed his disagreement with the penalty awarded to Celtic in their match against Kilmarnock. Roache believes the decision was incorrect and has criticized VAR operator Matthew McDermid for his role in the controversy. According to Roache, McDermid’s advice to award the penalty was harsh, and he questions whether the contact was intentional or unnatural ¹.
The Incident:
- James Forrest’s Shot: Forrest’s shot deflected off Kilmarnock’s Dominic Thompson and struck Lewis Mayo’s arm.
- VAR Intervention: The VAR intervened, and referee John Beaton awarded a penalty after reviewing the incident.
- Kelechi Iheanacho’s Penalty: Iheanacho scored the penalty, securing a 2-1 win for Celtic.
Roache’s Criticism:
- Lack of Intent: Roache argues that Mayo’s arm was not in an unnatural position, and there was no intent to deny a goal-scoring opportunity.
- SFA’s Response: Roache finds it intriguing that the SFA quickly responded to justify the penalty decision.
VAR Controversy:
- Mixed Results: VAR has been a contentious issue in Scotland, with more controversies than solutions in its three-year presence.
- Celtic’s Experience: Celtic has suffered from dubious calls, leading to frustration among fans and players.
- Transparency Efforts: Willie Collum’s monthly VAR Review show aims to provide transparency, but scrutiny remains high ².
