Willie Collum has been analysing two high-profile Celtic judgements on the most recent episode of the SFA’s VAR Review show.
In the November video, host Gordon Duncan and Collum, the SFA’s head of referee operations, discuss Reo Hatate’s tackle on Kilmarnock’s Liam Donnelly and Daizen Maeda’s goal against Motherwell that was disallowed.
It should be mentioned that the SFA has already stated that Hatate should have been sent off for his challenge on Donnelly and that Celtic should have been given a penalty for the Maeda incident at Fir Park.
However, Collum has recently provided thorough justifications to support such calls. Collum’s comments on both flashpoints are included here.
On Daizen Maeda, Collum The Motherwell incident involving the right-back Maeda was obviously fouled by Stephen O’Donnell within the penalty area, causing the Japanese winger to inadvertently score with his hand.
The game’s VAR audio reveals that the officials rejected the goal because they believed Maeda and O’Donnell had just collided and that it wasn’t a penalty.
Collum, however, has since stated that Celtic was unfairly treated and that this was the incorrect call. “So for us, the first part is simple, it’s a disallowed goal,” he stated.
However, the VAR and AVAR should then check for a potential penalty right away. They have given a goal, listened to the referee’s on-field communications, and failed to spot the handball.
Additionally, the referee has stated that he believes the contact between the attacker and the defence is typical. We don’t think this is typical contact.
The Celtic attacker, in our opinion, is superior to the Motherwell defence. We believe the Motherwell defender’s arm movement is what causes the legs to collide with the ground.
Therefore, we believe that there should be a penalty kick in addition to the arms and legs. We would like the on-field referee to come over and examine this occurrence; in our opinion, a penalty kick ought to have been given.
Collum on Kilmarnock vs. Hatate tackle
The audio demonstrates that the VAR officials thought Hatate’s challenge on Donnelly was insufficient to warrant a red card.
Collum responded, “For us, Gordon, this is a red card for serious foul play,” when asked if the tackle should have resulted in a red card.
Once more, we would prefer that the judgement be made on the pitch and that a red card be given; nevertheless, a yellow card was given instead. However, we are also aware that it is challenging when moving at full speed.
“The VAR is excellent at considering a variety of viewpoints when reviewing this. They discuss force and draw the leg back by using criteria.
They do note that the studs are on the leg and that the leg is high. However, those are the two requirements that are extremely evident to us here. The player is late, the studs are full on the leg, and the leg is quite high.
“Whether this jeopardises an opponent’s safety is the criterion that the VAR and AVAR neglect to address. According to our evaluation, this does put an opponent’s safety in jeopardy.
