In the wake of Celtic’s recent 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road, tensions have escalated between the club and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). The controversy centers around a disallowed goal that Celtic believed should have stood, leading to a public exchange between the club and the league’s governing body.
Celtic’s Disallowed Goal and Subsequent Statement
During the match, Celtic appeared to have equalized when Daizen Maeda found the back of the net. However, the goal was controversially ruled out after a VAR review, which determined that the ball had crossed the byline before Alistair Johnston’s cross. This decision left Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers visibly frustrated, and the club swiftly issued a statement on social media expressing their dissatisfaction with the officiating and the VAR intervention. The statement read: “We are extremely disappointed with today’s VAR decision that denied a legitimate goal. Such inconsistencies undermine the integrity of the game.”
SPFL’s Response
In response to Celtic’s public criticism, the SPFL released a statement defending the match officials and the VAR process. The league emphasized that the decision was made following the established protocols and that the evidence reviewed supported the on-field call. An SPFL spokesperson stated: “The VAR system was implemented to assist referees in making accurate decisions. In this instance, the technology confirmed that the ball had indeed crossed the byline prior to the goal. We stand by the decision made and urge all clubs to respect the processes in place.”
Reactions from Former Officials
The incident has sparked debate among former referees and football analysts. Ex-SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that the decision to disallow Maeda’s goal may have been erroneous. Roache commented: “From the available footage, it’s inconclusive whether the entire ball crossed the line. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt should go to the attacking team.” Conroy added: “These are the situations where VAR needs to provide clear and indisputable evidence to overturn on-field decisions. That clarity seemed to be lacking here.” 
Implications for Celtic and the SPFL
This dispute highlights ongoing concerns regarding the implementation and consistency of VAR decisions in Scottish football. For Celtic, the disallowed goal not only affected the outcome of the match but also intensified scrutiny on officiating standards. The SPFL, on the other hand, faces the challenge of maintaining credibility and ensuring that VAR technology enhances rather than detracts from the sport.
As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how this incident will influence future interactions between clubs and the league, as well as potential adjustments to VAR protocols to address the concerns raised.
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