Panel Confirms Correct Decision to Disallow Celtic Goal in 1-0 Win Over Aberdeen
A key decision made during Celtic’s 1-0 midweek victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie has been upheld by the Scottish football authorities, with the Key Match Incident (KMI) panel ruling that the correct call was made to disallow a goal scored by Celtic from a corner-kick.
The incident in question occurred when Paulo Bernardo’s corner sailed directly into the net, but the goal was ruled out after referee Steven McLean penalized Celtic’s Daizen Maeda for a foul on Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan. Despite the confusion surrounding the goal, the KMI panel, which comprises five experts in Scottish football, unanimously supported the on-field decision.
Panel’s Ruling: “Whistle Blown Before the Ball Crossed the Line”
The KMI panel’s report stated that the decision to disallow the goal was the right one, highlighting that the referee’s whistle had already been blown for the foul before the ball crossed the goal line. This crucial detail meant that the VAR system was unable to intervene, as the whistle had already stopped play prior to the ball entering the net.
“The on-field decision was unanimously supported,” the panel’s report read. “The panel highlighted that the whistle had been blown before the ball entered the goal, making it impossible for VAR to intervene.”
A Transparent Review Process
The KMI panel meets weekly to review and assess significant incidents from the previous weekend’s matches in Scottish football, ensuring that major decisions are scrutinized and understood by the public. The panel votes on whether the on-field decision was correct, taking into account not only the initial referee call but also any potential interventions from VAR.
This level of transparency has been welcomed by many in Scottish football, as it offers insight into the decision-making process that affects matches. In this case, the KMI panel’s backing of the referee’s decision provides clarity on why the goal was disallowed and reaffirms the importance of the referee’s on-field judgment in such situations.
Celtic’s Narrow Win at Pittodrie
Celtic’s narrow 1-0 victory at Pittodrie was a hard-fought match, and the disallowed goal certainly added an element of controversy to the game. Despite the setback from the disallowed goal, Celtic went on to secure the win thanks to a second-half strike from Kyogo Furuhashi, which ensured they maintained their strong position in the Scottish Premiership.
Looking Ahead
While the disallowed goal was a talking point, Celtic’s overall performance and their continued pursuit of silverware remain the main focus for manager Brendan Rodgers and his players. The KMI panel’s review offers reassurance that the correct procedures were followed and that VAR, while a useful tool, is not always called into action in every scenario.
As the season progresses, such decisions will continue to be under the microscope, but with the KMI panel’s rigorous oversight, the integrity of Scottish football’s officiating process remains a priority.
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