Dundee, Scotland – Dundee United are celebrating after successfully having the straight red card shown to their Hearts loanee Vicko Ševelj rescinded, following a highly contentious handball decision during a 3-3 draw against Hibernian at Easter Road
The incident occurred late in the second half, when Hibs were awarded a penalty following a VAR review that ruled Ševelj had denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity via handball. At the time, Ševelj was already on a yellow, meaning the offence triggered a straight red card.
Many watching, including pundits on Sky Sports, questioned whether the decision was too harsh. While Ševelj did put his arm out, critics argue that the intent was not clear, that the position of the arm was arguable, and that the contact may not have been deliberate.
Dundee United, under manager Jim Goodwin, immediately indicated their intention to lodge an appeal. They argued that while by the letter of the law a handball can lead to a red for denying a goalscoring opportunity, the specific circumstances in this case — lack of deliberate movement toward the ball, positioning, and the subjective nature of VAR’s judgement — merited reconsideration.
The appeal was heard by an independent panel of the Scottish FA, which has now upheld the club’s protest. As a result, Ševelj’s red card has been rescinded, meaning he is eligible for selection for the upcoming Premiership fixture versus Aberdeen on Tuesday 23 September.
Dundee United released a statement thanking the panel for its thorough consideration of their case, noting the evidence put forward by the club helped persuade the panel that the sending off was not justified.
- Ševelj & United: Relief and vindication. The player, suspended by the red card, will now be available sooner than anticipated. The club sees this as a positive outcome and an affirmation that disciplinary appeals can work when evidence is strong.
- Hibernian & Opposing Fans: Mixed feelings. For many, the decision in the moment still seemed justifiable under the rules. The rescission has sparked debate around how handball laws are applied, especially when VAR is involved in assessing “denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”
- Referee and VAR Procedures: This case adds to the growing scrutiny over consistency in applying handball rules and what constitutes “intent” versus “position.” The SFA panel’s reversal may serve as a precedent for future appeals.
For Dundee United, this is a boost. Ševelj will be available for selection without serving additional suspension time, which strengthens their defensive options in upcoming matches. It also signals to other clubs that disciplinary decisions, especially those influenced by VAR, are open to appeal — though success depends heavily on how convincingly the evidence can be presented.
For fans and pundits, the case underscores how fine the margins are under the current handball law, particularly how arm position, intent, and the speed of play interact under VAR review. It may lead to calls for clearer guidance or even tweaks to how rules are interpreted and communicated.
