The debate around Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions in Scottish football has been reignited after recent comments made about Celtic and the controversial technology. A former Scottish Football Association (SFA) referee has hit out, calling the remarks “rather pathetic,” after an in-depth analysis of decisions at Parkhead that have drawn criticism from certain quarters.
In the aftermath of Celtic’s recent games, some pundits and fans have pointed fingers at VAR for perceived inconsistencies in decision-making. Accusations of bias and favoritism towards certain teams have resurfaced, sparking yet another round of heated debates in the media and online. Many Celtic supporters feel that their club has been hard done by, claiming VAR interventions have often gone against them. These complaints reached new heights following incidents where decisions on penalties, handballs, and offsides were scrutinized under the VAR microscope.
However, a former top-tier referee, who remains an authoritative voice within Scottish football, has expressed his frustration with these recurring narratives. Speaking candidly, he dismissed the conspiracy theories surrounding Celtic and VAR as baseless and unhelpful. “It’s rather pathetic to suggest that there’s some sort of agenda or deliberate targeting of Celtic. VAR is a tool, and like all technology, it’s only as effective as the people operating it. Mistakes happen, but there’s no grand design against any one club.”
The ex-referee also pointed out that VAR is still in its infancy in Scottish football and that growing pains are to be expected. “People need to understand that referees and VAR officials are working together to ensure the right calls are made. It’s not perfect, but to accuse them of bias is a step too far.”
His comments came after Celtic’s recent match where a number of calls were reviewed by VAR, including a potential penalty that was waved off, sparking outrage among some fans and commentators. Social media was flooded with claims of injustice, with accusations that the system was being manipulated to work against the reigning Scottish champions.
Despite this backlash, the former SFA official was quick to defend the integrity of the referees and VAR officials, stating that the criticisms were rooted more in frustration with individual outcomes than actual systemic issues. “Referees and VAR officials are under intense pressure. Every decision is analyzed in slow motion, frame by frame, which sometimes makes normal footballing decisions look more controversial than they really are. But to imply there’s an agenda at work? That’s just not true.”
As the Scottish Premiership continues its use of VAR, this type of scrutiny is unlikely to fade. Fans are increasingly vocal about their frustrations, and pundits often fuel the fire with their hot takes on contentious decisions. For Celtic, VAR seems to have become an unwelcome focal point, with every call being dissected in the context of their success or failure on the pitch.
The ex-referee concluded by encouraging both fans and media to adopt a more measured perspective on VAR. “Criticism is part of the game, but it needs to be balanced and constructive. VAR isn’t perfect, but neither are the referees. They’re human, and they’re doing their best. To suggest anything else is simply unfair.”
With the season in full swing and VAR still a hot topic, it’s clear that the technology will remain a lightning rod for controversy in Scottish football. However, the former referee’s comments remind us that amidst the noise, there’s a need for patience and perspective, particularly when emotions run high.
In the end, VAR may continue to divide opinions, but for now, the debate around it and Celtic is not going away anytime soon.
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