Continuing issues with VAR in Scotland have been highlighted once again, with 10 more mistakes uncovered in the latest independent review panel’s findings. Hearts were involved in four of these errors, making them the most affected team in the Premiership as the Scottish Football Association works to resolve issues with the system.
The review in February revealed that a total of 13 key match incidents had the wrong outcome, in addition to three earlier mistakes in the season. This brings the total number of errors to 26, including the latest 10. The panel examined incidents referred to them from a total of 1,181 VAR reviews conducted in the top flight. They found that 89.3% of on-field decisions by referees were accurate, rising to 97.8% when VAR interventions were considered.
Premiership clubs were informed of the findings today, including the revelation that both Hearts and Celtic were wrongly awarded penalties during their clash at Tynecastle Park in March. The panel also determined that Hearts were incorrectly given a penalty against Hibs in February, leading to a 1-1 draw that later impacted Hibs’ league position.
Here are the latest VAR errors identified by the independent review panel:
- Rangers v Aberdeen (06-02-24): Incorrect red card decision, should have been a yellow card to Rangers player Dujon Sterling.
- St Mirren v Dundee (07-02-24): Incorrect red card decision, should have been a yellow card to St Mirren player James Bolton.
- Ross County v St Mirren (27-02-24): No recommended on-field review for a penalty against Ross County’s Ryan Leak for handball.
- Hearts v Hibs (28-02-24): Incorrect penalty decision, no foul and no penalty should have been awarded to Hearts.
- Kilmarnock v Rangers (28-02-24): No recommended on-field review for a handball offense against Rangers player John Lundstram.
- Hearts v Celtic (03-03-24): No recommended on-field review, no penalty should have been awarded to Celtic player Hyun-jun Yang.
- Hearts v Celtic (03-03-24): Incorrect penalty decision, handball should not have been awarded against Celtic player Tomoki Iwata.
- Motherwell v Aberdeen (16-03-24): No recommended on-field review, penalty should have been awarded to Motherwell for handball.
- Hibs v St Johnstone (06-04-24): No recommended on-field review, penalty should have been awarded to Hibs for foul by St Johnstone goalkeeper.
- St Mirren v Hearts (06-04-24): Incorrect penalty decision, penalty should have been awarded to St Mirren for foul by Hearts player Aidan Denholm.
