SFA find ’13 wrong VAR calls’ as Rangers, Celtic and Hearts among clubs affected

It follows checks when just THREE were found in the prior ones.

Thirteen incorrect calls were made in the second round of Premiership matches, according to the independent VAR review panel of the SFA.

In comparison to the first round of evaluated games, which provided only three suggestions of inappropriate shouts, two of which involved the one club in Dundee, the review process discovered a notable increase in faulty choices made. Alistair Johnston’s very contentious handball in the Celtic vs. Rangers game on December 30, in which no penalty was awarded, was one of the 13 incidents.

In that case, the panel stated that although there should have been an on-field review, there would have been a build-up offside. Ross McCausland shouldn’t have received a spot kick for the Gers against Livingston, but Liam Boyce should have received one against Motherwell at Fir Park.

Additional decisions include the needless red card of Jose Cifuentes and several challenges that ought to have led to the dismissal of players like Marley Watkins, Will Dennis, and Beni Baningime.

Of the 785 VAR reviews conducted throughout the first two game rounds, the majority were “silent checks” that did not necessitate any action from the referee or VAR officials.

“The VAR Independent Review Panel (IRP) has met to consider Key Match Incidents (KMIs) following the conclusion of the first two full rounds of SPFL Premiership fixtures in the 2023–24 season,” the SFA stated in a statement.

Under the direction of specialists in the Laws of the Game, the panel is composed of former players, managers, and coaches.

“From the beginning of the season, 16 KMIs have been determined by the IRP to have reached an incorrect decision, based on occurrences that were sought by the panel or submitted for review.

In the SPFL Premiership, a total of 785 VAR reviews have been completed thus far. While the bulk of these are silent investigations into on-field infractions that don’t need to be addressed, 51 of them—or 0.4 per match—have led in on-field reviews, and the remaining 24 have been factual overturns (i.e., offside, inside/outside penalty area)

“Referee Operations believes that 89.3% of judgements made on the pitch are correct; this number rises to 97.6% when VAR interventions are taken into account.

“Scottish FA Referee Operations shared these statistics to the Premiership clubs on Thursday morning as part of an update on the performance of VAR in Scotland.”

The following are thought to be the 13 complaints, according a report by BBC Sport Scotland.

Liam Boyce of Hearts should have an on-field review for a possible penalty, as recommended by VAR. Penalty should have been the decision. (Hearts v. Motherwell, November 11)

Ross McCausland of Rangers should have been given an on-field review after being awarded a penalty by VAR. The decision ought to have been to not apply a penalty (Livingston v. Rangers, Nov. 12).

Will Dennis of Kilmarnock ought to have had his potential red card reviewed on the pitch by VAR. The choice ought to have been a red card. (Hearts vs. Kilmarnock, Dec. 2)

Bevis Mugabi of Motherwell scored a goal after a foul that should have been reviewed on the pitch by VAR. The choice ought to have been to deny the goal. (Dundee v. Motherwell, Dec. 2)

Marley Watkins of Kilmarnock should have had his potential red card reviewed on the pitch by VAR. The choice ought to have been a red card. (Kilmarnock v. Aberdeen, 6 Dec)

It was not appropriate for VAR to suggest an on-field review for a penalty following Rangers’ Abdallah Sima’s foul. The no-penalty ruling made on the pitch ought to have stood. (Dundee vs Rangers, December 9)

Jose Cifuentes of the Rangers should not have received a yellow card, and VAR should not have suggested an on-field review. The yellow card call made on the pitch ought to have stood. (Dundee vs Rangers, December 9)

Beni Baningime of Hearts should have had his potential red card reviewed on the pitch by VAR. The choice ought to have been a red card. (Dec. 9, Aberdeen against. Hearts)

Alastair Johnston of Celtic committed a handball, and VAR ought to have suggested an on-field penalty review for that violation. The panel should have continued to decide against imposing a penalty since it saw an irregularity in the build-up. Celtic vs. Rangers, December 30

The on-field review of a penalty for a foul on Alan Forrest of Hearts should have been suggested by VAR. It was the right decision to impose a penalty. (30 Dec.) Hearts v. Ross County

The on-field review of a penalty for a handball offence against John Souttar of Rangers should not have been suggested by VAR. The judgement made on the pitch not to provide a penalty ought to have stood. (Kilmarnock vs Rangers, Jan. 2)

It was not appropriate for VAR to have suggested an on-field review for a possible foul in the run-up to Graham Carey’s St Johnstone goal. The decision to award a goal on the pitch ought to have stood. (Jan. 24, St. Johnstone v. Aberdeen)

Before Zach Robinson scored for Dundee, there appeared to have been a possible foul, and VAR ought to have called for an on-field review. The right choice was to deny the goal. (Dundee v. Livingston, Jan. 27)

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